North Carolina expunction laws are some of the most confusing laws with respect to what charges are actually eligible to be expunged. Depending on the disposition of your criminal charge, you may be eligible to apply for an expunction and have this charge removed permanently from your criminal record. Often, when you apply for a job or fill out some other type of application, a background check is performed to verify whether you have any prior criminal convictions. If you are eligible for an expunction, and your expunction petition has been signed by a judge, your charge will not appear as part of your criminal background check.
In addition, North Carolina law (N.C.G.S. 15A-153) then permits the person who received the expunction to “omit reference to the charges or convictions to potential employers and others.” As a result, once the order of expunction has been entered, you are not guilty of perjury or making a false statement for not disclosing any expunged charge, conviction, or arrest.
If you or someone you know is seeking the expunction of a North Carolina crime in Forsyth County or one of the surrounding counties, you need to speak with an experienced Winston-Salem criminal defense attorney to represent you. A Winston-Salem criminal defense attorney, with experience in North Carolina expunction law, will guide you through this process to make sure that all of your rights are being protected and asserted. If have been charged with a crime in North Carolina and you want to determine whether you are eligible for an expunction in North Carolina, please call us at (336) 725-6559 and schedule a free consultation with a Winston-Salem criminal defense lawyer to assist you. Our office which is located for your convenience in downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina.