What Records Can Be Expunged in Maryland?

In Maryland, records in which you were acquitted, the charges were dropped, or the case has become inactive (whether by having nolle prosequi entered or being marked stet) can be expunged. Expungement is also available for convictions for offenses that are no longer considered crimes under state law. If you were convicted of a violation that still constitutes a criminal offense, whether you qualify for expungement depends on the specific offense and grade of crime you were charged with. Generally, misdemeanor charges for eligible offenses such as disorderly intoxication, drug possession, theft, and disorderly conduct can be expunged following a five-year waiting period. The felonies that may be expunged, after longer waiting periods, include certain assault and battery convictions, certain burglary and theft convictions, and certain domestically related crimes. Due to the nuances of state law involving the offenses eligible for expungement, having the professional guidance of Maryland expungement lawyers can be crucial to determining whether you are eligible and how to proceed.

Can I get a DUI expunged?

While many criminal offenses may be removed from public records through expungement, this is not usually the case with any conviction on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). Despite the widespread misconception that DUI records can usually be expunged after a conviction, this is rarely the case. In reality, only under a narrow set of circumstances can DUI records in Maryland be expunged under current law, although pending legislation could change this rule. Most cases of DUI record expungement meet one of the following criteria: The defendant was acquitted. The charges were dismissed. The case was marked as “stet,” or indefinitely on hold. The only way to determine with certainty whether you have any options available to you to clear a prior DUI from your record is to consult knowledgeable Maryland expungement lawyers like Maronick Law LLC. We can review the specifics of your situation and explore any possible avenues. If you’re currently facing DUI charges and wondering about the implications of a conviction, you need to know that this offense could leave a lifelong mark on your record. It’s worth pulling out all the stops to put up the most aggressive defense possible.

What if I don’t qualify for expungement or my petition is denied?

Maronick Law LLC’s expungement attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD, can help you explore all options for clearing your record. We’re prepared to thoroughly evaluate your unique situation to determine whether you qualify for expungement under the law, assist with hearings and appeals if needed, and consider alternative options, such as record shielding. If there are steps you can take now to minimize the impact of prior charges on your life under state law, we can advise you on the best course of action and how to move forward.

How long does expungement take in Maryland?

In general, you can expect the expungement process to take approximately 90 days from the date you formally file a petition requesting that the court expunge your records. This timeline includes a period of 30 days during which the State’s Attorney’s Office may file an objection to your petition, in which case a hearing must be scheduled. Although all agencies are supposed to comply with expungement orders within 60 days, full compliance and expungement of your records can sometimes take longer. Having an attorney on your side can help you move the process forward and oversee compliance with any expungement orders the court grants.

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Expungement Attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD Offering Assistance With Clearing Criminal Records in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Montgomery County, and Throughout Maryland

A criminal record can follow you for a lifetime, but under certain situations, you may be able to clear your record. Maryland law allows violations that meet certain criteria to be removed from a criminal record through a process called expungement. Just figuring out whether you qualify for expungement and how long you have to wait to file a petition is challenging enough without even getting into the demands of the process itself. Professional help from experienced Maryland expungement lawyers like Maronick Law LLC can streamline the process of clearing your criminal record.

It costs nothing to explore your options and discuss the potential expungement of your criminal record with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney during a free consultation with Maronick Law LLC. To get started, contact us today.

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Record Expungement Assistance in Maryland

When you have been in any form of legal trouble in Maryland, these incidents can appear on your criminal record long after the case has been resolved. You don’t even have to be formally convicted of a crime for arrest records and other citations to appear on your record.

These records are available to the public, including potential employers, schools, lenders, and landlords.

Through the expungement process, a person can petition the court to request the removal of police records and court records from public view.

How to Get Records Expunged

While state law permits individuals to undertake the expungement process on their own, it doesn’t necessarily make it easy to get your record cleared. Often, your chances of successfully getting your criminal record cleared improve when you entrust knowledgeable Maryland expungement lawyers like Maronick Law LLC with your case.

Depending on the circumstances of your prior incident, you need to first determine not only whether and when you are eligible for expungement but also which of the state’s multiple expungement petition forms correctly fits your situation. Filling out the appropriate form to petition the court for an expungement of your records requires you to provide specific information under penalty of perjury. Making even a small error on this form could result in the denial of your request for expungement.

The advantages of professional assistance from experienced expungement attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD, include the confidence of knowing that your expungement forms are completely and accurately filled out and having skilled representation already on your side if the State’s Attorney objects to your petition and the court orders a hearing. When you retain Maronick Law LLC to assist you with expungement, we handle your case from start to finish and are prepared for any challenges that could arise.

Qualifying for Criminal Record Expungement in Maryland

Only certain offenses can be expunged in Maryland, and different minimum waiting periods apply to different types of offenses. Evolving legislation, such as the REDEEM Act of 2023, has expanded the types of offenses that can be expunged and the circumstances under which they qualify, as well as reduced minimum waiting periods.

Under the changes established by the REDEEM Act of 2023, the Maryland Judiciary currently allows for expungement under the following circumstances.

Expungements When You Have Not Been Found Guilty

Even if you have not been found guilty of a crime, the arrest record or citation can remain on your record. You can petition to have these records expunged in instances like the following:

You were acquitted, or found not guilty at trial
Your charges were formally dropped or dismissed
Your case, originally filed in adult court, was transferred to juvenile court (a separate process is required for expunging juvenile records)
Your case is considered inactive due to a nolle prosequi entered or being marked stet on the docket
You were determined to be Not Criminally Responsible, or NCR, for a violation categorized as a nuisance crime, including loitering, vagrancy, trespass, panhandling, and urination in a public place

While you generally have to wait three years to file a petition for expungement for these records using Form CC-DC-CR-072A, it may be possible in some situations to begin the expungement process earlier using Form CC-DC-CR-072C. To get these records expunged early, you will have to file a General Waiver and Release, as well.

Expungements Based on a Probation Before Judgment

In some criminal matters, you may be placed on probation before judgment, or PBJ, rather than being formally found guilty of the offense. Assuming you complete probation without further criminal citations, a PBJ for a criminal matter is typically eligible for expungement in Maryland. However, there are exceptions. For example, a PBJ that arises out of the offense of driving under the influence (DUI) generally cannot be expunged under current state law, although pending legislation (Senate Bill 118) could soon pave the way for expungement of such records following a waiting period.

At this time, petitions for expungement based on a PBJ can typically be filed three years after you have completed probation. If you were ordered to serve a probation period shorter than three years, you must generally wait three years after the date you were granted probation. In some instances, you may be able to attain early expungement by filing a motion for a good cause exception.

Expungements of Convictions

Getting a conviction expunged can be a more challenging endeavor if you were found guilty at trial. However, convictions of criminal offenses may be expunged under certain situations. The waiting periods for cases that involve a guilty disposition are generally longer and vary by the type of conviction.

For a misdemeanor conviction that is eligible for expungement, you generally have to wait five years before you can begin the process of clearing your record. Not all misdemeanors can be expunged in Maryland, but many common charges can.

Some felony convictions may also be expunged following the minimum waiting period, although not all felony convictions are eligible for expungement. Convictions of second-degree felony assault and common law battery convictions generally require a seven-year waiting period. For felony theft and burglary convictions in the first or second degree, you currently have to wait seven years. Certain domestically related convictions can be expunged after a 15-year waiting period.

How Maronick Law LLC Can Help

At Maronick Law LLC, our team of seasoned Maryland expungement lawyers helps clients clear their records and take back control of their lives.

The Benefits of Criminal Record Expungement in Maryland

The impact of having a criminal record can follow you for years, affecting your personal relationships, your educational and professional future, and your ability to rent or buy a place to live. For some people, it’s a constant reminder of past mistakes, no matter how hard they have worked to make positive changes.

If your record is holding you back in any way, exploring your options for clearing it through the expungement process is worthwhile. Maronick Law LLC offers a free, confidential initial consultation, so you can speak to an attorney about your case at no cost and get your questions answered before you decide whether to proceed.

Expungement can have a significant impact on your life. Once an expungement has been granted, the court or police records expunged are removed completely from public view. Under state law, you don’t have to disclose arrests or charges that have been expunged when applying for any type of state license or permit or for a job or admission to an educational institution.

The Advantages of Professional Legal Help for Expungement

The rules concerning which offenses may be expunged and what waiting periods apply are complex. The expungement process itself requires you to not only sort out these rules to determine whether your offense qualifies for expungement but also undertake a legal process that includes filing a petition with the court and potentially making your case in a court hearing. The guidance of experienced expungement attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD, can streamline the process and help you successfully clear your record. As longtime criminal defense attorneys, we thoroughly understand the nuances of different charges and case resolutions and have the skills to provide effective representation for expungement hearings.

Why Choose Maronick Law LLC

As a dedicated, success-oriented criminal defense firm, Maronick Law LLC is prepared to evaluate the specifics of your situation and recommend the next steps for seeking an expungement if you are eligible. Here’s why clients across the state turn to us for help clearing their records.

Extensive Experience

Our highly skilled team has more than 80 years of experience representing our clients’ best interests and successfully securing favorable outcomes for them, including expungement of prior criminal convictions.

Statewide Legal Services

We proudly serve all of Maryland, including Glen Burnie, Baltimore, Ocean City, Harford, and Towson. With offices across the state, Maronick Law LLC makes it easy and convenient to retain excellent legal representation anywhere in Maryland.

Free Initial Consultations

Given the complicated eligibility requirements, you might feel hesitant to hire an attorney to assist you with the expungement process in Maryland before you even determine whether your records can be expunged. Maronick Law LLC offers a free phone or in-office consultation during which we provide professional insights on your case and preliminary legal advice about moving forward with expungement. This allows you to make an informed decision about your next steps and whether to hire Maryland expungement lawyers to assist you with the process.

Contact the Maryland Expungement Lawyers at Maronick Law LLC Today for a Free Case Review

The expungement process can be challenging, but you don’t have to go through it alone. For help from knowledgeable expungement attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD, contact Maronick Law LLC online or call us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Expungements in Maryland

In Maryland, records in which you were acquitted, the charges were dropped, or the case has become inactive (whether by having nolle prosequi entered or being marked stet) can be expunged. Expungement is also available for convictions for offenses that are no longer considered crimes under state law.
If you were convicted of a violation that still constitutes a criminal offense, whether you qualify for expungement depends on the specific offense and grade of crime you were charged with.
Generally, misdemeanor charges for eligible offenses such as disorderly intoxication, drug possession, theft, and disorderly conduct can be expunged following a five-year waiting period. The felonies that may be expunged, after longer waiting periods, include certain assault and battery convictions, certain burglary and theft convictions, and certain domestically related crimes.
Due to the nuances of state law involving the offenses eligible for expungement, having the professional guidance of Maryland expungement lawyers can be crucial to determining whether you are eligible and how to proceed.
While many criminal offenses may be removed from public records through expungement, this is not usually the case with any conviction on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). Despite the widespread misconception that DUI records can usually be expunged after a conviction, this is rarely the case. In reality, only under a narrow set of circumstances can DUI records in Maryland be expunged under current law, although pending legislation could change this rule. Most cases of DUI record expungement meet one of the following criteria:
The defendant was acquitted.
The charges were dismissed.
The case was marked as “stet,” or indefinitely on hold.
The only way to determine with certainty whether you have any options available to you to clear a prior DUI from your record is to consult knowledgeable Maryland expungement lawyers like Maronick Law LLC. We can review the specifics of your situation and explore any possible avenues.
If you’re currently facing DUI charges and wondering about the implications of a conviction, you need to know that this offense could leave a lifelong mark on your record. It’s worth pulling out all the stops to put up the most aggressive defense possible.
Maronick Law LLC’s expungement attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD, can help you explore all options for clearing your record. We’re prepared to thoroughly evaluate your unique situation to determine whether you qualify for expungement under the law, assist with hearings and appeals if needed, and consider alternative options, such as record shielding.
If there are steps you can take now to minimize the impact of prior charges on your life under state law, we can advise you on the best course of action and how to move forward.
In general, you can expect the expungement process to take approximately 90 days from the date you formally file a petition requesting that the court expunge your records. This timeline includes a period of 30 days during which the State’s Attorney’s Office may file an objection to your petition, in which case a hearing must be scheduled. Although all agencies are supposed to comply with expungement orders within 60 days, full compliance and expungement of your records can sometimes take longer. Having an attorney on your side can help you move the process forward and oversee compliance with any expungement orders the court grants.