how much does a misdemeanor expungment lawyer cost

by Miss Bria Crist 9 min read

Depending on the misdemeanor or felony of your record, the attorney fee may cost as much as $1000 to $4000. The court cost of expungement that you have to pay will range from $100 to $400 depending on the location as well as the amount of paper work that needs to be done including the research that it takes for the case.

Hiring an attorney to handle an expungement starts around $400-$1,000 for a single criminal charge but can run $1,000-$4,000 or more depending on the number and nature (misdemeanor or felony) of the charges, prevailing local legal rates and the status and experience of the attorney.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to get a misdemeanor expunged?

The fees will include the court cost as well as all legal works. If you are asking how much does it cost to expunge a misdemeanor case (including DUI) you will be charged around $595.00 to $625.00. If you want to file for a Motion for early termination of probation and expungement both for felony and misdemeanor then you would have to pay $1250.00.

What can you do to get misdemeanor charges expunged?

You have completed community service if required by the court.

  • You do not have any more convictions in the intervening period
  • There was a minimum period between your conviction or probation and petition for expungement.
  • The actual offense is not a sex offense and that the offense was not committed against a child below the age of 16
  • There is no pending case of felony, misdemeanor or other charges against you.

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Is it worth expunging a misdemeanor?

You received a fine exceeding Five Hundred Dollars for a misdemeanor conviction (22 O.S. § 18) The expungement process can be complicated, but it is worth it. Hire a skilled expungement attorney to assure that you can get your misdemeanors sealed and removed. Just like it never happened! Sealing Your Criminal Record Forever

How long does it take to have a misdemeanor expunged?

You can begin the expungement process once eight years have passed. If it has been longer than 8 years since you were convicted, you can start. Also, you cannot be charged with any other crimes.

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How much does it cost to have your record expunged if you use an attorney in NJ?

Filing Fees: The New Jersey Superior Courts currently charge $75 to file for an expungement. Lawyer's Fees: Every expungement case is different. Some cases may only take a few hours of work, while others might require multiple court appearances.

How much does it cost to expunge a misdemeanor in California?

Misdemeanor Expungements $695* Misdemeanor DUI Expungement $820. Felony Expungement $915* (includes a reduction to a misdemeanor when eligible) Sealing of Juvenile or Diversion Records: $2,250.

How much does expungement cost in Texas?

How Much Will It Cost to Expunge My Criminal Record in Texas? As a general rule, it costs more to expunge a felony than a misdemeanor. The expungement of a felony will customarily cost a minimum of $1,000, but may cost upwards of $2,500 or even more. Misdemeanors can usually be expunged for $1,000 or less.

How long does an expungement take in Virginia?

In Virginia, the expungement process often takes about six (6) months to complete and can take longer in some jurisdictions.

How long does a misdemeanor stay on your record in CA?

for lifeA misdemeanor stays on your record for life unless you successfully petition for expungement. There is no preset “expiration date” for misdemeanor crimes. Even though misdemeanor offenses are less serious than felonies, they are still serious breaches in the eyes of the law.

How do you get a misdemeanor expunged?

To expunge a misdemeanor case, an application or petition for expungement is filed to the court that initially handled the criminal case. The district attorney or prosecutor's office must also be served with notification of your request.

Do I need a lawyer to expunge my record in Texas?

Most people can file and successfully process their own Texas expungement forms without the assistance of a lawyer. All you need is the proper forms and easy step-by-step instructions to complete your Texas expungement.

How do you get a misdemeanor expunged in Texas?

File the Application for Expunction in the arresting county, along with a fingerprint card from the Department of Public Safety. The clerk will notify DPS and set a court hearing no earlier than 30 days from the date of filing. Effect of Expunction: An Order of Expunction removes the entry from your criminal record.

How long is the expungement process in Texas?

four to six weeksIn most instances, it takes about 30 days to schedule a hearing date after the petition for expunction is filed. The entire process usually takes from four to six weeks. If the court grants an expungement, it usually takes up to 180 days for local, state, and federal agencies to destroy their records.

What misdemeanors can be expunged in Virginia?

If you were convicted of any misdemeanor except DUI or assault and battery of a family or household member, you can petition a court to seal your record on July 1, 2025. If you cannot afford to hire an attorney to help you with the court process, the new law says you can ask the court to appoint one for you.

Do misdemeanors go away in VA?

Again, criminal convictions – even for misdemeanors – stay on your record forever in Virginia.

How much does it cost to expunge your record in Virginia?

The fee for filing a proceeding is currently around $84 and the cost of serving the petition on the state is $12, for a total of $96. You should call the Circuit Court clerk's office in your jurisdiction, before you go in, to find out the exact amount and whether they require cash or will accept a money order.

How much does it cost to expunge a document in New Jersey?

New Jersey offers varied options for people who want to file an expungement in their state. They offer a DIY process for only $200 and this include filing fee for $75 as well as certified mail for $100, photocopying fee worth $20 and envelopes/ stamps for $5.

How much does an attorney charge for a misdemeanor?

Usually you get to pay $400 to $1000 for an attorney fee for single criminal charge but note that the amount that you pay will differ on the number and nature of your case. Depending on the misdemeanor or felony of your record, the attorney fee may cost as much as $1000 to $4000. The court cost of expungement that you have to pay will range ...

What is expungement in court?

Expungement is a court-ordered process wherein the legal records of an arrest or criminal conviction is either “sealed” or erased in the eyes of the law. Many wants to get an expungement because a criminal record can be a great factor in your eligibility to get loans as well as mortgage or housing assistance. ...

What are the advantages of hiring a lawyer?

The main advantage of hiring a lawyer is that you want have to do any of the paper works and correspondence to the court. The amount only includes the service of the lawyer which means that you will have to shoulder the mailing and filing fee as well.

Can you have your case erased in Florida?

If you are in the Florida area and wish to have your case erased, most of the law firm houses would check first if you are qualified or eligible to have your record sealed. Qualification may include checking of your previous records; if you were ever convicted, how many times were you arrested and other details.

What is a Misdemeanor?

A misdemeanor is a categorical term used to describe any lower-level criminal act. Common misdemeanors in California include DUI /DWI, reckless driving, trespassing, drug possession, domestic violence, shoplifting, public intoxication, and solicitation, among others.

Average Cost of a Lawyer for Misdemeanor Charges

Since each case is unique, the cost to hire a lawyer can vary based on a number of factors. These include:

Is the Cost Worth It?

It’s all too common to see misdemeanor offenders attempt to handle their own cases. They may think they’re saving money, but the results of this decision can be catastrophic.

3. How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?

Jan 6, 2019 — Typically, misdemeanors are cheaper than felonies. For example, at my office a misdemeanor (excluding class C misdemeanors) generally ranges (7) …

8. How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost? – Barone Defense Firm

Considerable variation exists relative to the fees charged by Michigan lawyers to handle a DUI case. For a typical first offense misdemeanor OWI / OUIL (24) …

9. How Much Will Legal Representation Attorney Cost?

Flat fees for representation through trial usually do not include These fees are higher than fees for a misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor representation. (27) …

What is the term for a misdemeanor expungement?

Therefore, the two terms together—“misdemeanor expungement”—can be defined as when a person who has committed a type of misdemeanor crime, such as a traffic offense or petty larceny, has it removed from their criminal record, or alternatively, has that part of their criminal record sealed off from public access.

What can an expungement lawyer do?

An experienced expungement lawyer can help you to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for misdemeanor expungements, will be able to help you fill out any necessary paperwork before filing, and can provide further legal advice on anything you are confused about during the process.

How to prevent a misdemeanor from happening?

The main way to prevent such a situation from occurring is by having a criminal record expunged of the misdemeanor. Although misdemeanors are easier to have expunged than felonies, there are still certain factors that may not permit a person to remove the misdemeanor at all.

How long can you go to jail for a misdemeanor?

One distinguishing feature that separates misdemeanor offenses is that their charges usually only result in a jail or prison sentence of less than one year. In contrast, felonies are punishable for up to a year or greater of imprisonment. Regardless of the lesser severity of punishment, misdemeanors are still classified as crimes.

What is a misdemeanor?

In general, a misdemeanor is defined as a particular category of crimes that are considered to be more serious than a citation (i.e., a ticket), but less severe than that of a criminal felony (i.e., money laundering or human trafficking ). One distinguishing feature that separates misdemeanor offenses is that their charges usually only result in ...

How long does a misdemeanor stay on your record?

Unless the laws of a particular state say otherwise, or the person is not convicted of the misdemeanor they are charged with and/or the decision gets overturned, a misdemeanor will stay on a criminal record indefinitely or until it is expunged.

What is the first step in expunging a misdemeanor?

First, the person must determine whether or not they are eligible for expungement. This includes being able to show that they have served their sentence, paid any fines, fulfilled any probationary requirements, and so on, in connection with the misdemeanor.

Record Expungement and Sealing Services & Fees

If you have a criminal record, how much will it cost you not to have an expungement in loss of opportunities, jobs, or advances?

What Do Our Legal Services Include?

Preparation and Court Proceedings: You will be represented by a licensed Ohio attorney and your private information will be protected by attorney-client confidentiality. We start immediately after we are hired and stay on top of your case to process it promptly.

How long do you have to be in jail for a class A felony?

All legal financial obligations (fines & court fees) have been paid. For Class A felonies, more than 5 years must have passed since the conviction date or release from confinement, whichever is later. For other offenses, 2 years must have passed since the conviction date or release from confinement, whichever is later.

How does a criminal record affect your ability to get a job?

Clear your criminal record. A criminal record can affect your ability to find or keep a job, obtain housing, or get accepted into a college. The good news is that certain convictions can be reversed on your Washington State criminal record, so that they no longer cause damage to your reputation on a criminal background check.

How long have you been restrained by a protection order?

You have not been restrained by a protection order in the last 5 years. Any fines, court fees, or funds owed to victim have been paid. 3 years have passed since the conviction (or 3 years past the final payment of legal financial obligations, whichever is later)

Can you seal a juvenile felony in WA?

Juvenile Offenses (Vacating & Sealing) If you were convicted of a juvenile felony offense in WA State, your attorney may petition the court to vacate and seal the conviction under certain circumstances: You must not have any pending charges. You must not currently be subject to a diversion agreement.

Can you vacate a misdemeanor in WA?

Vacating a Misdemeanor. If you were convicted of a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offense in WA State, your attorney may petition the court to vacate the conviction under the following circumstances: You must not have any pending charges. You must not have any new convictions on your record. The offense was not a DUI.

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The Cost of Erasing A Criminal Record

  • A criminal record expungement cost can range from $100 to $600 for the filing and court costs alone, depending on the state and the nature of the case. The cost of hiring an attorney will also differ depending on where you file the expungement. Usually, you get to pay $400 to $1,000 for an attorney’s fee for a single criminal charge. But take note ...
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Expungement vs. Sealing

  • Expungement is one way to ensure that your old mistakes will not continue to harm your present and future reputation as well as your professional opportunities. If given the chance, you have every opportunity to start on a clean slate. Strictly speaking, expungement means the records will be destroyed, which in effect makes it appear like they never happened at all. This is different fro…
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Additional Costs

  • In Kentucky, an expungement certification, which is a report indicating what specific records are eligible for expungement, costs $40. On the other hand, it costs $75 in Florida for similar documentation. Depending on the state, you would also need to pay a small amount for the notarization as well as for a fingerprint card that you need to take to the law enforcement agenc…
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What Can Be Affected When You Have A Criminal Record?

  • A criminal record or even just a case filed against you but eventually dismissed or you being found not guilty can be a stain on your reputation that might ruin your quality of life. What are the different consequences of having this “stain” on your record? Here are some: 1. Difficulty getting a job 2. Job termination 3. Likely to lose a child custody case 4. Might not be allowed to own or ca…
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Factors Affecting The Cost of Expungement

  • The cost of expungementvaries due to the following factors: 1. The gravity of the case Understandably, felony cases will cost more than a simpler misdemeanor. Felony cases represent the higher end of the cost of expunging criminal offense cases. 1. Number of cases A petition for expungement allows only a single criminal case per filing. If you want to expunge several cases, …
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Who Qualifies For Expungement?

  • Whether or not you can afford the expungement price, it is never guaranteed that everyone qualifies for the process. Here are a few bases for expungement qualifications: 1. Your age– most states are lenient toward juvenile offenders. If you have been convicted as a minor, you have a stronger chance of being granted record expungement than adult felons. 2. Type of conviction …
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