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Expungement Open House 2/19: Are you eligible for expungement?
Are you eligible for expungement of your Rhode Island criminal record?
The Office of the Attorney General will be holding an Expungement Open House, referred to as a “first step in the expungement process”. The event will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, February 19th from 6 to 8pm at the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, 265 Oxford Street in Providence.
The AG’s office staff will help:
– Evaluate your eligibility for expungement
– Fill out the expungement forms
– Identify where to file your expungement forms
They will address only Rhode Island matters. Please bring identification with you.
What is expungement?
Expungement is the process by which a record of criminal conviction is destroyed or sealed from the court record. An expungement order directs the court to treat the criminal conviction as if it had never occurred, essentially removing it from your criminal record.
Why pursue expungement?
Expungement can help provide relief from the adverse effects of a criminal record on your ability to obtain employment, housing, or other necessities of life.
Who is eligible?
Only certain criminal arrests or convictions, including some misdemeanor crimes and certain non-violent felonies, may be eligible for expungement. Eligibility is dependent on a variety of factors. We can help you find out if you are eligible for expungement at the Expungement Open House.
Expungement Eligibility Requirements
You may be eligible for expungement of misdemeanor offense(s) if:
• You have not been convicted of a felony • You are not currently facing any criminal charges • If you have a single misdemeanor conviction and: – It has been 5 years or more from the date of the completion of your sentence – You have not been arrested or convicted of any crime during the 5 years before filing the motion to expunge
• If you have multiple misdemeanor convictions (not more than 5) and: – It has been10 years or more from the date you completed your last sentence – You have not been arrested or convicted of any crime during the 10 years before filing the motion to expunge – Your misdemeanor was not a DUI, Refusal or a Domestic Violence Offense
• You have paid all court costs, fees, assessments and restitution
You may be eligible for expungement of a felony offense if:
• You only have ONE felony conviction • Your felony is not a CRIME OF VIOLENCE • 10 years or more have elapsed since the COMPLETION of your sentence • You have not been arrested or convicted for any crime during the 10 years before filing the motion to expunge • You are not currently facing any criminal charges • You have paid all court costs, fees, assessments and restitution
You may also be eligible for expungement or sealing of records if:
• Your offense has been subsequently decriminalized at any time following your conviction • You have successfully completed a deferred sentence • You were acquitted or your case was dismissed
Go here for more information: Rhode Island Expungement statute (https://bit.ly/347dxLU). And here for Rhode Island Courts forms (https://bit.ly/335iYtN)
