how much does it cost to pay a lawyer to expunge criminal record wa. sy.

by Haylie Gutmann V 9 min read

Estimates for the cost of an expungement range from a low end of $400 to a high end of $4,000, though the attorney you choose really makes all the difference. Once again, the complexity of the case plays into it. The more hours the attorney needs to spend sorting through the information and filling out the paperwork, the more it will cost.

Typical costs: 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 expunge a criminal record?

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.

How long does it take to expunge a charge in Washington?

Removing Non-Conviction Data in Washington State. You must wait two years from the date of dismissal without any new criminal arrests or convictions (or three years from the date of arrest if no charges were filed). If the Washington State expungement request is granted, the State Patrol will remove all information related to the arrest.

Can I get my record expunged in Washington State?

If the Washington State expungement request is granted, the State Patrol will remove all information related to the arrest. This procedure does not remove or seal court records or Department of Licensing records. If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony offense, then you cannot remove the record of arrest in Washington State.

How do I remove a felony from my record in Washington?

Vacating a Washington State Criminal Record. If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony offense, then you cannot remove the record of arrest in Washington State. You may, however, qualify to vacate your conviction.

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 can I get my record expunged for free in Washington state?

Request for Expungement If you are, you must mail a completed copy of the WSP Request for Expungement / Deletion of Non-Criminal Records to Washington State Patrol, Criminal History Records Section, P.O. Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-02633. You do not have to pay for this request.

How long does a felony stay on your record in Washington state?

A felony conviction can be expunged in Washington so long as the following requirements are met: If your conviction is for a class C felony, you must wait five years from when you were sentenced, released from confinement, or released from Department of Corrections supervision, whichever happened last.

How do you get a misdemeanor expunged in Washington state?

No. Washington law does not allow you to remove any record of conviction in Washington, regardless of whether it is a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor.

How do I clear my criminal record?

You can apply to have your criminal record expunged when:a period of 10 years has passed after the date of the conviction for that offence.you have not been convicted and sentenced to a period of imprisonment without the option of a fine during those 10 years.the sentence was corporal punishment.More items...

Does your criminal record get cleared?

Why is it still on my record? Since 2006, the police retain details of all recordable offences until you reach 100 years of age. Your conviction will always show on your police records but the conviction may not show on your criminal record check that is used for employment vetting purposes.

Can a felon get a passport?

It's possible to obtain a passport after a prior conviction, but it can still be difficult, according to Allen Orr, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. "If you were a smuggler and for some reason, you got off on a technicality or whatever reason," Orr said.

What weapons can a felon own in Washington state?

In Washington State, anyone who has been convicted of a felony or any crime of domestic violence is ineligible to possess a firearm. This ban will last a lifetime, unless the right is restored by a court of record (typically the Superior Court where the individual resides).

How do I vacate my record in Washington state?

To vacate any felony conviction, it remains a mandatory requirement that a person must first obtain from the court a Certificate of Discharge. (RCW 9.94A. 637). A person qualifies for a Certificate of Discharge once they complete all conditions of sentence.

How long does a misdemeanor stay on your record in Washington state?

three yearsA misdemeanor conviction can be expunged in Washington so long as the following requirements are met: If your conviction is not for a domestic violence offense, you must wait three years after completing all conditions of your sentence. This includes probation and legal financial obligations.

How do I seal my criminal record in Washington state?

You must file a written motion with the Court to seal your records. Sealing is at the judge's discretion. In deciding whether to seal your court record, a judge will weigh your privacy interests against the public's interest in keeping the files open.

How can I get out of a misdemeanor?

While it's true that a misdemeanor conviction can stay with you forever, it is also possible for it to be erased from your record. But this does not happen automatically after you've paid your fines and served your jail sentence. You must file a petition for an expungement to get the information removed.

How much does an attorney charge for an expungement?

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.

How much does it cost to expunge a criminal record?

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. Depending on the misdemeanor or felony of your record, the attorney fee may cost as much as $1000 to $4000.

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.

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. ...

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

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.

How much does it cost to get marijuana records purged?

If you want your Marijuana records purged; (both Court & California Dept. of Justice) you would have to pay $750.00 and if you want a Reduction to Misdemeanor under 17b or Prop 47 or 64 the expungement price is $750.00 which is the same for Sealing of Juvenile or Diversion Records.

Why do you have to expunge your record?

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, then you have every option to clear your record and start again with a clear record.

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.

Can you expunge a conviction?

For example, some states like California allow expungements and have their own rules for having a conviction removed from your record. Other states like New York may only allow for sealing prior convictions, meaning the record will still exist, but it will no longer be public.

Can a criminal record be expunged?

Finally, you need to know that your original criminal case itself has been resolved for your record to be expunged. If you were ordered to serve some type of sentence like community service or go on probation, that must come to an end first. Likewise, if you owe money connected to the case — perhaps you are paying restitution or paying fines to the state — then you have to settle those debts first. Getting your record expunged is simply a way to clear that record, not to avoid all connected fines, fees, and sentences.

Do court costs come in a lump sum?

Often, the court costs and other fees will not come in a lump sum, but they will simply come up as you move through the process. You will have to take care of each fee promptly for the case to continue. For example, in Florida, there is a $75 fee due to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement when you have paperwork put in to check if you are eligible to have your record expunged. You could have to pay this even if it turns out that you are ineligible and there is nothing else you can do.

What happens if you expunge a record in Washington?

Once the Washington State Patrol (WSP) grants an administrative expungement, the record is deleted.

What is Expungement?

Washington offers expungement. Courts also refer to expungement as "vacation" or "set aside." Expungement deletes or destroys your criminal record and restores you to the status you had before the offense.

Who is Eligible for Expungement?

You may be eligible for administrative expungement of nonconvictions if:

When Can I Apply for Expungement?

Here is when you can apply for administrative expungement of a noncon viction:

How long do you have to wait to get a citation if you are not convicted?

If you were not convicted, you must wait three years after you were arrested or a citation or warrant was issued.

How long do you have to wait to get your sentence expunged?

You have waited at least three years from the completion of your sentence to apply for expungement.

Where to submit a charge form?

Submit the form to the clerk in the county where you were charged.

How much does it cost to get a fingerprint card expunged in Virginia?

Typically, the clerk’s office will charge a $86.00 filing fee and the police department will charge $10.00 for a fingerprint card. That’s it. You can get a charge expunged, at least in Virginia, after paying the above amounts.

Is it worth expunging a record?

There are several costs associated with getting an expungement – and all of them are worth it , if it you are trying to get a record sealed so that it does not get in the way of a school application or new job. After all, you already went through the trouble of dealing with the charge in court, right? This is the last step to get the charge permanently removed from your record forever.

Is expungement worth it?

Is it worth it to remove a charge from your criminal record? For many people, it’s a worthwhile expense. You protect your reputation and remove the charge from your record before applying for work, school, or a security clearance.

What is non conviction data in Washington?

For individuals with “non-conviction data,” the Washington State expungement process may be an option. This means removing information relating to an arrest from a law enforcement record. “Non-conviction data” means a situation where no adverse consequences were imposed. Examples include a charge dismissed by the prosecutor or court before trial, or a “not guilty” verdict following trial. It does not include deferred sentences where a guilty plea is entered but later removed.

Why is it so hard to get a court record sealed?

The only way to ensure that the public will not have any access to information in a court record is to have it sealed. This is a difficult process because, generally speaking, there is a predisposition to having open access to court records. In other words, courts get suspicious of people trying to hide things. A request to seal, like vacating a conviction, is discretionary and the person must show a compelling privacy interest that outweighs the public policy of open access.

What does it mean to request a court to vacate a record?

A request to vacate a record is discretionary, meaning a judge does not have to grant it, even if a person otherwise qualifies under the statute. If a request to vacate is granted, the effect is that the previous guilty plea/finding is withdrawn and the charge is dismissed. Thereafter, a person can legally and honestly say they have not been convicted of the offense and would not need to disclose it as a conviction on future applications, etc.

Can you expunge your criminal record in Washington State?

Some things, like Washington State expungement, you can do on your own. Others, like vacating and sealing a record, you will need an attorney’s help. Contact me for more information.

Can you seal a juvenile arrest?

There are different rules for cases occurring in juvenile court, and it is generally easier to vacate, seal and expunge records of juvenile arrests/convictions. Recent changes to the law mandate courts to seal some records automatically, but older cases may still require a request by the defendant.

Can you remove a conviction from your record in Washington State?

If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony offense, then you cannot remove the record of arrest in Washington State. You may, however, qualify to vacate your conviction. When you vacate a conviction, a written request must be made to the court and you must meet certain requirements.

What is the difference between court records and criminal records?

Court records are different than criminal history records. Criminal history records are on file with the Washington State Patrol and local police departments. By contrast, "court records" are on physically on file with the clerk's office and electronically available through the Judicial Information System. Instead of expungement, you can file ...

Can you get your convictions expunged?

If you are convicted after trial or you plead guilty before trial, you cannot expunge these records because they do not qualify as non-conviction records.

Can you remove a non conviction record in Washington?

In Washington, you can expunge (i.e. delete or remove) non-conviction criminal history records. Under RCW 10.97.060, non-conviction records mean any records relating to an incident that did not lead to a “conviction or other disposition adverse to the subject.”.

Can you be on probation even if your case is dismissed?

You plead guilty and are placed on probation even if your case is ultimately dismissed because you successfully complete probation (i.e. a deferred sentence and some types of diversion agreements) A jury finds you not guilty by reason of insanity. A judge finds you not competent to stand trial and dismisses your case.

Can I expunge a conviction in Washington?

Can I expunge my criminal convictions in Washington? No. Washington law does not allow you to remove any record of conviction in Washington, regardless of whether it is a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor.

How to get a felony expunged in Washington?

How to Get a Felony Expunged: Understanding Your Rights. Washington state law specifically provides a mechanism for most convicted felons to have their felony conviction expunged. There are some eligibility requirements, but if you qualify then it’s just a matter of doing the paperwork and going through the legal process. ...

What does it mean when a conviction is expunged?

When you get your conviction expunged by the court, this means you can lawfully state that you were never convicted of the crime. This is a huge advantage on application forms and in job interviews.

What Does It Mean to “Expunge” a Felony?

We can’t explain how to get a felony expunged without first explaining what “expungement” actually is.

Why does it take so long to get a felony expunged?

That’s because the clock on the waiting period only started ticking after you had completed your probation, paid your restitution, and done anything else the court had ordered you to do (such as community service). This often made it take much longer for poor and working-class people to get an expungement because when you don’t have money, it takes a lot longer to pay off fines.

How many requirements are there to get a felony expunged?

There are generally three basic requirements when it comes to how to get a felony expunged.

Is a felony a burden?

You don’t need a law blog to tell you that having a felony conviction on your record is an enormous economic burden. It costs you most job opportunities, including good-paying jobs. It makes it impossible to qualify for most rental housing, and it means you’ll be rejected for most loans and credit applications, or subjected to much more expensive repayment and financing terms.

Can a felony be expunged?

In other words, you can’t expunge a recent felony. This shows that, in the years since your conviction, you’ve gotten your life back on track. The exact waiting period depends on your circumstances, such as misdemeanor vs. felony conviction, and juvenile vs. adult conviction. Generally speaking, here are the waiting periods for how ...

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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