Akron Expungement Lawyer

Helping Clients Get a Fresh Start in Akron & Cleveland, OH

A criminal record can significantly impact your life, from hindering employment opportunities to housing options and even affecting your personal relationships. Many employers conduct background checks on job applicants, which may lead to disqualification from hiring opportunities if a criminal history is revealed. 

Additionally, you may face challenges securing housing or loans, as landlords and financial institutions often evaluate applicants based on their criminal backgrounds. You may also be unable to obtain or maintain a professional license, potentially limiting career opportunities and advancement. A criminal record can additionally result in social stigma, making it even more difficult to reintegrate into society and lead a fulfilling and productive life. 

Expungement offers a path toward sealing certain criminal records so they are no longer accessible to the public, employers, or others. This process can give you a fresh start, enabling you to move forward free from the burden of a past offense. 

At VanHo Law, we can review your situation, determine your eligibility, and assist you in navigating the expungement process. With over two decades of criminal defense practice, our firm is well-versed in Ohio law and the process of securing an expungement in the courts. 

Request a consultation with our Akron expungement attorney at VanHo Law. Call (330) 681-1120 or reach us via our contact form to make an appointment. 

What Is Expungement Under Ohio Law?

Ohio Revised Code Section 2953.31 outlines expungement, which it also refers to as record “sealing.” Expungement generally means destroying a record. However, Ohio only provides for sealing a record, which hides it from public view. Sealed records can only be reopened through a court order. 

Records that can generally be sealed include:

• Misdemeanor convictions: Most misdemeanor offenses can be sealed, provided the individual meets the eligibility criteria.
• Felony convictions: Certain felony convictions, generally lower-level felonies (such as fourth and fifth-degree felonies), may be eligible for sealing.
• Not guilty verdicts: Records of charges that resulted in a not guilty verdict can be sealed.
• Dismissed charges: If charges were dismissed, those records can be sealed.
• No bill records: If a grand jury returns a no bill, meaning they did not indict the individual, those records can be sealed.
• Juvenile records: Many juvenile records can be sealed, although the process and criteria may differ from adult records.
• Arrest records: The arrest record can be sealed if an arrest did not lead to a conviction.

Eligibility for Record Sealing in Akron 

Eligibility for record sealing depends on several factors, including the nature of the offense and the individual's criminal history.

The following criteria generally apply in determining eligibility: 

• First-time offenders: Individuals with no prior convictions may be eligible to have their records sealed.
• Multiple convictions: Ohio law allows sealing records for individuals with up to five fourth- or fifth-degree felony convictions and unlimited misdemeanors, provided they meet other criteria.
• Waiting period: Before applying for sealing, a mandatory waiting period exists after the completion of the sentence, including any probation or parole. This period is typically one year for misdemeanors and three years for felonies.
• Completion of sentence: The individual must have completed all terms of their sentence, including payment of fines and restitution.