Expungement

The expungement process in Oklahoma involves filing a petition with the court to seal or destroy criminal records under specific conditions outlined in state law. The timeline varies depending on the offense type and eligibility requirements, often taking several months due to court schedules and procedural steps. After the petition is filed, a hearing date is set, during which prosecution or law enforcement may object. If granted, records are sealed from public access but may remain accessible to certain government agencies. Factors affecting processing time include offense type, court backlog, objections, and petition completeness. See Okla. Stat. tit. 22 § 18 for relevant provisions. Experienced Oklahoma lawyers are involved in these procedures.

Expungement in Oklahoma involves sealing or destroying certain criminal records, affecting their availability in background checks. Under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, Okla. Stat. tit. 51, §§ 24A.1–24A.32, court records are public unless sealed or protected. Sealed records remain but are hidden from public view, while expungement more rarely results in permanent removal. Some government agencies or employers may still access sealed records. Private background check companies might retain information collected before expungement. Specific records, like juvenile files under the Oklahoma Children’s Code, have additional confidentiality protections. Consultation with an Oklahoma attorney is referenced in relation to these legal nuances.

Having a criminal record in Oklahoma can affect employment, housing, and other areas of life. Oklahoma law provides two main types of expungements under Okla. Stat. tit. 22, §§ 18, 991c, depending on the case type and circumstances. Section 18 expungements generally apply to adult criminal cases in district courts, including dismissed charges or completed sentences after waiting periods. Section 991c expungements relate to deferred sentences, often involving drug offenses or misdemeanors without formal convictions. Court records are public under Okla. Stat. tit. 51, § 24A.1 et seq. For clarification, an Oklahoma lawyer may be referenced.

Are you unsure if your conviction is eligible for expungement? I’m Aaron Grubb, a Tahlequah expungement attorney at Wirth Law Office. In my latest video, I discuss the types of acts and crimes that cannot be expunged, particularly focusing on violent offenses. This category includes not only severe crimes but also certain offenses that may not seem violent at first glance, such as child pornography, domestic abuse, and eluding police officers. If you have questions about your eligibility for expungement, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Wirth Law Office for assistance.

Are you a registered sex offender seeking information on expungement eligibility? My name is Aaron Grubb, a criminal attorney with Wirth Law Office in Tahlequah. In this video, I discuss a narrow exception for expunging your status from the sex offender registry in Oklahoma. Specifically, the Romeo and Juliet provision applies to individuals convicted of second-degree rape or rape by instrumentation, provided the victim was no more than four years younger than the perpetrator. If you believe you qualify for this exemption, please reach out to us at Wirth Law Office for assistance. We’re here to help you.

Now, if you exclude the attorney fee, which, depending on what’s going on, can be anywhere between $1500 or up.

Can you get an expungement for a felony even if it’s pretty old, let’s say 30 years old? Answer is yes, maybe, it kind of depends. It depends on some factors and facts to your case.