What is expungement, and how does it work?

There are various options for “cleaning up” elements of your criminal record under Maryland law. Expungement is a legal procedure that allows you to request that certain types of court and police records be sealed from public access. Expungement usually relates to records that did not result in a conviction, although it can also apply to certain sorts of convictions. Depending on how the case concluded, there are minimum waiting periods before petitioning for expungement. This also means that this will remove mugshots yours.

Expungement on the Spot

Any records linked to a charge retained by the police, court, or other state agency may be eligible for automatic expungement. After three years, if a charge results in an acquittal, dismissal, not guilty, or nolle prosequi disposition, the records are automatically expunged. The following items are automatically expunged:

• a charge of crime
• Possession of fewer than 10 grams of marijuana is a civil violation.
• significant traffic infractions that need a court appearance

What information is contained in my criminal record?

Your official RAP (“Record of Arrests and Prosecutions”) sheet from the Criminal Justice Information System, as well as information from the Maryland Judiciary Case Search, make up your criminal record (CJIS). Some charges (those with an acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi, or not guilty disposition) may not appear in Case Search. This isn’t to say that the charges aren’t real. They’re still on your record as a felony. You may want to look at both sources to assess your eligibility for expungement during the expungement procedure.

Which records are eligible for expungement? Which of them is unable to?

Whether or not certain records can be deleted is usually determined by the verdict or outcome of your case. It makes no difference whether your case was a felony or a misdemeanor.

If you’ve been convicted (found guilty) of a crime, the records from that charge cannot be deleted. There are exceptions to this rule. If you are not guilty and still face problems while getting your record clean then you can contact Remove Mugshots Agency for better consultation.

Is there any circumstance under which you CANNOT file for expungement?

Yes, there are several circumstances in which records cannot be purged.

• You cannot have a PBJ case deleted if you were convicted of a new offense within three years after receiving the PBJ. (However, if the new conviction was for a minor traffic infraction or conduct that is no longer illegal, the PBJ will not be erased.)
• If you are presently facing criminal charges, you are not eligible to have your records expunged.
• You will not be eligible for expungement if you are convicted of a crime during the waiting time unless the later conviction is eligible for expungement.
• If the PBJ was for certain alcohol-related driving crimes, it cannot be erased. (See Maryland Code, Transportation 21-902 or Maryland Code, Criminal Law 2-503, 2-504, 2-505, or 2-506, or old Article 27, 388A or 388B)
• In circumstances of identity theft, a court has no authority to delete aliases or award an expungement.