how much does it cost to get a lawyer to expungement

by Dr. Darron Hintz MD 8 min read

Costs to hire an attorney to expunge a record vary widely, ranging anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $10,000, depending on the number and severity of the underlying crimes, and the requirements of the jurisdiction in which the crime was committed.Sep 10, 2018

Full Answer

How much does it cost to get a felony expunged?

  • Not all felony convictions qualify for expungement. ...
  • Qualifying felonies typically can be expunged by filing a petition
  • Before filing a petition to expunge a felony conviction, many states require that a certain number of years have passed after the conviction and/or discharge from probation.

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How much do lawyers charge for expungement?

The cost of expungement will differ from state to state. The cost of hiring an attorney will also differ from where file the expungement. 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.

What are the pros and cons of expungement?

Pros and Cons of an Expungement. An expungement can be beneficial to your future. However, obtaining one can be a complex, time-consuming, and expensive process. If you work with a lawyer who has relevant experience, you will have a better chance of obtaining a clean record in an efficient manner. Some of the benefits of an expungement include:

How much does the eviction process cost?

What An Eviction Costs You

  • Serving & Filing Fees. During the eviction process, you have to serve an eviction notice to the tenant. ...
  • Eviction Court Costs. When you evict someone, it is required that you issue an eviction notice, go to court, and file all of the necessary paperwork.
  • Lawyer Costs. ...
  • Final Legal Fees. ...
  • Evicting The Tenant. ...
  • Cleaning Up & Storing Items. ...

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

The fee that Expungement Lawyers in New Jersey™ charge for expungement processing ranges from $1,285.00 including expenses to $3,985.00 plus expenses. In most instances, the fee is $1,485.00.

How long does expungement take in Florida?

Because of the required process, it typically takes up to 9 months to have your record sealed or expunged. This is because the first step in the process that everyone must go through is obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Do I qualify for expungement in Florida?

In order to petition to expunge a criminal history record, the individual must include in their petition a valid certificate of eligibility for expunction, and they must include a sworn statement attesting that they have never, prior to filing the petition, been adjudicated guilty of a criminal offense, or comparable ...

How long does it take to expunge a record in Illinois?

about six monthsAfter the petition is filed, the state's attorney, the state police, and all other notified parties have 60 days to object. If the judge grants the petition, an order is entered, and all state agencies are given 60 days to expunge or seal the record. The total process typically takes about six months.

What felonies Cannot be expunged in Florida?

Can You Expunge a Felony in Florida. A felony conviction cannot be expunged from your record. Criminal records can only be expunged when there was no conviction for a felony, misdemeanor, or criminal traffic offense such as DUI or driving with a suspended license.

How much does expungement cost in Florida?

In Florida the cost for an expungement petition is $75. This doesn't mean that you just pay your money and you're done. You have to make sure you have filled out the proper forms and you have all the relevant documentation. This is where an experienced lawyer can help move the process along.

Does your criminal record clear after 7 years?

The Seven Year Rule Under federal law, the consumer reporting agencies cannot report an arrest that is over seven years old. However, they may report a conviction no matter how old it is.

How can I get my record expunged in Florida for free?

Anyone interested in sealing their record should complete the brief form at www.FLJC.org/seal, call 954-758-7555, or email seal@FLJC.org. Everyone will be screened for eligibility for sealing and expungement, and those who qualify will be helped free of charge.

How long does a felony stay on your record in Florida?

A felony charge in Florida remains on your record until you successfully apply for the record to be sealed or expunged – that is, permanently destroyed. Felony convictions, however, remain on your record for life unless you've been pardoned by the president or the governor.

What crimes Cannot be expunged in Illinois?

The following offenses do not qualify for a Certificate of Sealing:Sex offenses.Crimes of violence.Domestic Violence cases, including: Aggravated Assault. Violation of an Order of Protection. Domestic Battery. Aggravated Battery. Aggravated Domestic Battery.Gun cases.Driving Under the Influence cases.

How much does an expungement cost in Illinois?

The filing fee for expungement/sealing is $215.00, which covers the cost of filing the petition, copy fees, mailing and postage fees for the required notices, and fees to the Illinois State Police. There is no fee to file a petition to expunge a juvenile record.

How far back does a background check go in Illinois?

seven yearsHow Far Back Does a Background Check Go in Illinois? The FCRA limits reporting on any criminal arrests that failed to result in a conviction that occurred more than seven years ago. If the candidate is being considered for a position that pays a salary of at least $75,000 this time restriction does not apply.

How much does it cost to expunge a case?

First, there will be standard court costs associated with the expungement process, and in some states an application fee. These generally range from $100 to $400. However, depending on the details of your case, this could cost more.

What is expungement in criminal history?

Expungement is the legal process of removing convictions from your criminal record. Depending on the laws in your state, you may seek out an expungement for misdemeanor convictions as well as some felonies.

Why is filing fees higher in court?

This is simply a payment for the processing of your paperwork, so a complicated case that involves more paperwork — such as trying to have a felony removed instead of a misdemeanor — may come with higher filing fees due to the increased work required of the court.

Can a felony DUI be expunged?

On the other hand, some states may allow a felony DUI to be expunged. Accordingly, there may be more legal work involved in having a felony conviction expunged, so it may require more in attorney’s fees. This is a topic you can discuss with your criminal defense attorney during your initial consultation.

Is a misdemeanor expunged a felony?

Misdemeanor expungements are more common than felonies, as you cannot expunge some felony convictions.

What All Goes Into the Expungement Process?

Every state has different requirements to expunge a record. Typically, an attorney will obtain a copy of your criminal record you are looking to get expunged to get the process started. Next, documents are gathered to begin creating the formal pleadings, such as court records and prosecutor files.

How Much Will This Cost Me?

Costs to hire an attorney to expunge a record vary widely, ranging anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $10,000, depending on the number and severity of the underlying crimes, and the requirements of the jurisdiction in which the crime was committed.

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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 wi…
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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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