In April, we wrote about a new Alabama expungement law passed by the Alabama state legislature that would help clear non-violent criminal records for those who successfully petition the court.
Now, the law is set to go into effect on July 7th, 2014, making Alabama the latest state in the union to have an expungement law on the books.
As we covered previously, expungement means a person’s criminal record no longer exists. This only applies to those who have non-violent felonies and misdemeanors. In order to qualify, you can petition the Court if you were found not guilty, had the charge dismissed with prejudice (or declined by a grand jury), or had the charge dismissed with prejudice and it’s been at least 24 months without the charge being refiled.
For felonies, the same applies, plus you’re covered if you completed a drug court or diversion program and waited at least a year. (There has to have been at least 60 months without a charge refiled if your charge was dismissed with prejudice.)
Already, many Alabamians with nonviolent criminal records are planning on petitioning the Court to have their records expunged. If you want to create a petition to have your record expunged, call us today at 205-328-1365 for a consultation.