Can you get an expungement in North Carolina?

You may have a hard time finding a new job or housing for you and your family as a result of a criminal record that you received in the past. As a result, you may need to find a way to wipe that criminal record clean. There are a few things that come along with getting an expungement of your criminal record.

There are common misconceptions when it comes to expunging your criminal record. One of these misconceptions is that you can only receive one in your entire life. This used to be the law North Carolina  However, in December of 2017, the North Carolina Legislature made it so that you can receive multiple expungements over the period of your lifetime and not just have one to use for the rest of your life.

Another misconception is that you can be eligible for an expungement immediately after you resolve your case that you have in court. That is not the case. According to the North Carolina Criminal Branch, the only time that you eligible for immediate expunction is if you have received a not guilty verdict on your case or your case has been voluntarily dismissed by the district attorney’s office. Otherwise, there are specific wait periods and wait times that you have to experience before you may be eligible for expungement of your criminal record. If you have been found guilty or plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge in the state of North Carolina, you must wait five years to be eligible for an expungement. This is different from the prior requirement that you wait 15 years.