A criminal conviction can follow you around for the rest of your life, even if it was just a small misdemeanor. Perhaps you committed a minor felony in your past, served your assigned time, and attempted to move on with life. Unfortunately, our society doesn’t let criminal records go that easily.

An unclean criminal record can prevent you from getting the job you want or getting a loan that you need to buy a car or house. One mistake can haunt you forever, and here’s why it’s worth the effort, time, and money required to get your an expungement:

Easier to get a job

When filling out a job application, there’s usually a section where they question whether you’ve ever been involved in criminal acts or have been convicted in the past. This can create a difficult situation for someone who does have a criminal record. If they answer truthfully, they risk not landing the job. But if they lie and say they have a clean record, then they’re risking violating the law again. If you’ve expunged your record successfully, you can truthfully answer “no” to the question.

Get approved for a loan

Loan agencies believe that someone who has a criminal conviction would be less likely to pay off their debt or have the resources to do so. This means you might face prohibitive rates for interest or just not qualify for a loan at all. It can become difficult to buy a car or home in this sort of situation, especially when it’s already harder to find a job.

Adoption

Fifteen states in the U.S have made it illegal to adopt a child if you have a criminal record. If you’re looking into adopting a child and growing your family, you’ll have to get your record expunged. However, keep in mind that offenses against minors can never be expunged.

Find an experienced criminal defense attorney in Maryland

Expungements are not guaranteed, so working with a criminal defense lawyer can significantly increase your chances of it being granted. Our professionals can make the process less stressful and will help you retain confidence that you’re doing the best that you can to achieve a clean record.

The Lincoln Law Group has a diverse team of legal professionals, including tax attorneys, criminal defense attorneys, family law attorneys, immigration lawyers, and personal injury lawyers in Baltimore and Silver Spring.