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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    8

    Default Do I Qualify For An Expungement?

    In 2002 I was charged with multiple major felonies in connection to a child custody lawsuit. Basically my ex wife filed these charges in an attempt to wrestle custody of our children from me. I don’t remember all of the charges as there were literally two dozen but I do remember being told that if convicted I faced 71 years in jail, even though it would be my first offense ever.

    In court these charges were dropped. The criminal case and the child custody case were heard concurrently. I was also awarded full legal and full physical custody of both of my children. They continue to live with me. This is in spite of the fact that I was originally charged with their attempted murders, assault on a minor, etc.

    I did plead guilty to a count of damage to personal property and at the time I thought this was all I had plead guilty to. Later I found that apparently I pled guilty to AO7, which I eventually figured out meant misdemeanor assault on a female.

    I did go back to court later and got a judges order that according to her, restored my right to own firearms. I still have a copy of this order. I used this order to regain possession of my firearm collection

    Up until this point I had never been charged with any offense, save a few speeding tickets and seatbelt tickets. Since then I have not been charged with any offenses whatsoever.

    Next week will mark 5 years since I was charged.

    I have encountered problems in applying to college, job applications, as well as other areas.

    I know this is a short description of the events but based on this can I pursue getting an expungement?

    Any advice?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Do I Qualify For An Expungement?

    For most charges, North Carolina limits expungements to situations where charges are dismissed, or a defendant is found not guilty.
    Quote Quoting North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-146. Expunction of records when charges are dismissed or there are findings of not guilty.
    (a) If any person is charged with a crime, either a misdemeanor or a felony, or was charged with an infraction under G.S. 18B-302(i) prior to December 1, 1999, and the charge is dismissed, or a finding of not guilty or not responsible is entered, that person may apply to the court of the county where the charge was brought for an order to expunge from all official records any entries relating to his apprehension or trial. The court shall hold a hearing on the application and, upon finding that the person had not previously received an expungement under this section, G.S. 15A-145, or G.S. 90-96, and that the person had not previously been convicted of any felony under the laws of the United States, this State, or any other state, the court shall order the expunction. No person as to whom such an order has been entered shall be held thereafter under any provision of any law to be guilty of perjury, or to be guilty of otherwise giving a false statement or response to any inquiry made for any purpose, by reason of his failure to recite or acknowledge any expunged entries concerning apprehension or trial.

    (b) The court may also order that the said entries shall be expunged from the records of the court, and direct all law-enforcement agencies bearing record of the same to expunge their records of the entries. The clerk shall forward a certified copy of the order to the sheriff, chief of police, or other arresting agency. The sheriff, chief or head of such other arresting agency shall then transmit the copy of the order with the form supplied by the State Bureau of Investigation to the State Bureau of Investigation, and the State Bureau of Investigation shall forward the order to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The costs of expunging these records shall not be taxed against the petitioner.

    (b1) Any person entitled to expungement under this section may also apply to the court for an order expunging DNA records when the person's case has been dismissed by the trial court and the person's DNA record or profile has been included in the State DNA Database and the person's DNA sample is stored in the State DNA Databank. A copy of the application for expungement of the DNA record or DNA sample shall be served on the district attorney for the judicial district in which the felony charges were brought not less than 20 days prior to the date of the hearing on the application. If the application for expungement is granted, a certified copy of the trial court's order dismissing the charges shall be attached to an order of expungement. The order of expungement shall include the name and address of the defendant and the defendant's attorney and shall direct the SBI to send a letter documenting expungement as required by subsection (b2) of this section.

    (b2) Upon receiving an order of expungement entered pursuant to subsection (b1) of this section, the SBI shall purge the DNA record and all other identifying information from the State DNA Database and the DNA sample stored in the State DNA Databank covered by the order, except that the order shall not apply to other offenses committed by the individual that qualify for inclusion in the State DNA Database and the State DNA Databank. A letter documenting expungement of the DNA record and destruction of the DNA sample shall be sent by the SBI to the defendant and the defendant's attorney at the address specified by the court in the order of expungement.

    (c) The Clerk of Superior Court in each county in North Carolina shall, as soon as practicable after each term of court in his county, file with the Administrative Office of the Courts, the names of those persons granted an expungement under the provisions of this section and the Administrative Office of the Courts shall maintain a confidential file containing the names of persons granted such expungement. The information contained in such files shall be disclosed only to judges of the General Court of Justice of North Carolina for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person charged with an offense has been previously granted an expungement. (1979, c. 61; 1985, c. 636, ss. 1-7; 1991, c. 326, s. 1; 1997-138, s. 1; 1999-406, s. 9; 2001-108, s. 2; 2001-282, s. 1; 2002-126, s. 29A.5(c).)
    There's a similar statute, NCGS § 15A-147, for cases involving findings of not guility resulting from identity fraud.

    There is a statute which provides for expungement of certain (mostly minor) offenses where the offender is below the age of 18 or 21:
    Quote Quoting NCGS § 15A-145. Expunction of records for first offenders under the age of 18 at the time of conviction of misdemeanor; expunction of certain other misdemeanors.
    (a) Whenever any person who has (i) not yet attained the age of 18 years and has not previously been convicted of any felony, or misdemeanor other than a traffic violation, under the laws of the United States, the laws of this State or any other state, pleads guilty to or is guilty of a misdemeanor other than a traffic violation, or (ii) not yet attained the age of 21 years and has not previously been convicted of any felony, or misdemeanor other than a traffic violation, under the laws of the United States, the laws of this State or any other state, pleads guilty to or is guilty of a misdemeanor possession of alcohol pursuant to G.S. 18B-302(b)(1), he may file a petition in the court where he was convicted for expunction of the misdemeanor from his criminal record. The petition cannot be filed earlier than two years after the date of the conviction or any period of probation, whichever occurs later, and the petition shall contain, but not be limited to, the following:
    (1) An affidavit by the petitioner that he has been of good behavior for the two-year period since the date of conviction of the misdemeanor in question and has not been convicted of any felony, or misdemeanor other than a traffic violation, under the laws of the United States or the laws of this State or any other state.

    (2) Verified affidavits of two persons who are not related to the petitioner or to each other by blood or marriage, that they know the character and reputation of the petitioner in the community in which he lives and that his character and reputation are good.

    (3) A statement that the petition is a motion in the cause in the case wherein the petitioner was convicted.

    (4) Affidavits of the clerk of superior court, chief of police, where appropriate, and sheriff of the county in which the petitioner was convicted and, if different, the county of which the petitioner is a resident, showing that the petitioner has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor other than a traffic violation under the laws of this State at any time prior to the conviction for the misdemeanor in question or during the two-year period following that conviction.

    (5) An affidavit by the petitioner that no restitution orders or civil judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against him are outstanding.
    The petition shall be served upon the district attorney of the court wherein the case was tried resulting in conviction. The district attorney shall have 10 days thereafter in which to file any objection thereto and shall be duly notified as to the date of the hearing of the petition.

    The judge to whom the petition is presented is authorized to call upon a probation officer for any additional investigation or verification of the petitioner's conduct during the two-year period that he deems desirable.

    (b) If the court, after hearing, finds that the petitioner had remained of good behavior and been free of conviction of any felony or misdemeanor, other than a traffic violation, for two years from the date of conviction of the misdemeanor in question, the petitioner has no outstanding restitution orders or civil judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against him, and (i) petitioner was not 18 years old at the time of the conviction in question, or (ii) petitioner was not 21 years old at the time of the conviction of possession of alcohol pursuant to G.S. 18B-302(b)(1), it shall order that such person be restored, in the contemplation of the law, to the status he occupied before such arrest or indictment or information. No person as to whom such order has been entered shall be held thereafter under any provision of any laws to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of his failure to recite or acknowledge such arrest, or indictment, information, or trial, or response to any inquiry made of him for any purpose.

    (c) The court shall also order that the said misdemeanor conviction be expunged from the records of the court, and direct all law-enforcement agencies bearing record of the same to expunge their records of the conviction. The clerk shall forward a certified copy of the order to the sheriff, chief of police, or other arresting agency. The sheriff, chief or head of such other arresting agency shall then transmit the copy of the order with a form supplied by the State Bureau of Investigation to the State Bureau of Investigation, and the State Bureau of Investigation shall forward the order to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    (d) The clerk of superior court in each county in North Carolina shall, as soon as practicable after each term of court in his county, file with the Administrative Office of the Courts, the names of those persons granted a discharge under the provisions of this section, and the Administrative Office of the Courts shall maintain a confidential file containing the names of persons granted conditional discharges. The information contained in such file shall be disclosed only to judges of the General Court of Justice of North Carolina for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person charged with an offense has been previously granted a discharge.

    (e) A person who files a petition for expunction of a criminal record under this section must pay the clerk of superior court a fee of sixty-five dollars ($65.00) at the time the petition is filed. Fees collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the General Fund. This subsection does not apply to petitions filed by an indigent.
    There is also the possibility of a seeking a pardon - but that won't have the effect of expunging your record:
    Quote Quoting North Carolina Pardon Law
    Pardon - may be granted to those individuals who have maintained a good reputation in their community, following the completion of their sentence for a criminal offense. Ordinarily, an applicant must wait to apply until at least five years have elapsed since the applicant was released from State supervision (including probation or parole). A Pardon is merely an official statement attached to the criminal record that states that the State of North Carolina has pardoned the crime.

    A Pardon does not expunge or erase a criminal record. Under the North Carolina Constitution, the Executive Branch does not have the authority to expunge a criminal record. The Judicial Branch handles the process of expungement that clears an individual's criminal record pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145 and 146. An individual would need to contact an attorney of their choice to pursue expungement of a criminal record through the Court System.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    8

    Default Re: Do I Qualify For An Expungement?

    Thank you for your reply.

    I am no lawyer so I may be wrong but do I k=not qualify for an expungement via the following?

    NCGS 15A‑149. Expunction of records when pardon of innocence is granted.

    (a) If any person is convicted of a crime and receives a pardon of innocence, the person may apply by petition or written motion to the court in which the person was convicted on a form approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts supplied by the clerk of court for an order to expunge from all official records any entries relating to the person's apprehension, charge, or trial. Upon receipt of the petition or written motion, the clerk of court shall verify that an attested copy of the warrant and return granting a pardon of innocence has been filed with the court in accordance with G.S. 147‑25. Upon verification by the clerk that the warrant and return have been filed, the court shall issue an order of expunction.

    (b) The order of expunction shall include an instruction that any entries relating to the person's apprehension, charge, or trial shall be expunged from the records of the court and direct all law enforcement agencies, the Division of Motor Vehicles, or any other State or local government agencies bearing record of the same to expunge their records of the entries. The clerk shall forward a certified copy of the order to the sheriff, chief of police, or other charging agency; and, when applicable, to the Division of Motor Vehicles and any other State or local agency. The sheriff, chief, or head of such other charging agency shall then transmit the copy of the order with the form supplied by the State Bureau of Investigation to the State Bureau of Investigation, and the State Bureau of Investigation shall forward the order to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Upon receipt of a certified copy of the order, the agency must purge its records as required by this section. The costs of expunging these records shall not be taxed against the petitioner.

    (c) No person as to whom such an order has been entered under this section shall be held thereafter under any provision of any law to be guilty of perjury, or to be guilty of otherwise giving a false statement or response to any inquiry made for any purpose, by reason of the person's failure to recite or acknowledge any expunged entries concerning apprehension, charge, or trial. (2005‑319, s. 1.)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Do I Qualify For An Expungement?

    You indicate that you were convicted of a number of charges. What exactly are you trying to expunge?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    8

    Default Re: Do I Qualify For An Expungement?

    Hello. Im sorry it took me so long to reply to this.

    I was originally charged with several dozen felonies, including attempted murder, assault by pointing a gun, assault on a child, etc. There were multiple accounts for each charge so it ended up being over two dozen charges.

    In the end everything was dropped except for a count of damage to personal property, and misdemeanor assault on a female. I pled to these charges because I was in med school at the time and risked being kicked out of school if I missed class.

    I am able to produce almost 2 dozen afidavits from various people, including both arresting officers and a currently serving sheriff that I was not guilty of anything. The courts have agreed with me on several occasions, stating that I was pressured into a plea agreement. Thats where I got the idea for an expungement. In fact I was given sole legal and sole physical custody of my children, all the while still facing charges of attempting to kill them.

    I realize that the charges I am attempting to have expunged are not that serious, at least not when compared to others but it is very important to me personally to do this.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    Behind a Desk
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    98,846

    Default Re: Do I Qualify For An Expungement?

    Try for the Pardon of Innocence, as it appears to be the only path you have to expungement.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    8

    Default Re: Do I Qualify For An Expungement?

    Have you ever heard of the Innocence Project?

    North carolina apparently is a member state. According to their website I wont be eligible to apply to them for help until November 1st 2008. Once I apply my case will go before a three judge panel and if all three agree I am automatically given an expungement.

    I will be eligible for a Governors pardon of innocence on October 10th, 2008.

    I figure I will go both route and see which one works fastest?

    What do you think?

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