How Can a Sex Offender Clear His Record

My question involves criminal records for the state of: OHIO

When I was 19 I was convicted of having sex with a 13 year old girl. I plead guilty to Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor (F4). I received 3 years of probation and 25 years of registering on the sex offender registry.

I have since gotten off probation early (after just over 2 years) and about 5 total years have passed since pleading guilty.

This has affected my life as I'm sure you are aware by where I can work, where I can live, and even where I can volunteer.

I want to clear my record to free up opportunities for my future and to be able to pursue the career options I want to pursue.

How do I clear my name?

Is governors pardon the only way to go?

How soon can I apply for that?

What is the process and how do I get started?

Thank you!

-J

You would need a pardon. Clear your name? You admitted to committing a sex offense. That is an issue. You can't "clear" your name. Google is your friend for a pardon.

I'm not sure why you think having sex with a child should warrant a lighter sentence than what you received.

You received probation, which is a light enough sentence as it is. Being on the sex offender list isn't to punish you, it's to protect the families that do not want their children living anywhere near you.

A pardon is your only option for relief from this offense. Ohio does not offer expungement for felonies or first degree misdemeanors where the victim of the crime was under age 18 at the time of the offense and most sexual crimes are not eligible anyway regardless of the age of the victim. You can try for a pardon, but I’ll be blunt: you almost certainly won’t get it this soon after your conviction, if ever. Any pardon is rare. Govenor Kasich had only granted 66 pardons during the period 2011-2014, and deferred all 2015 decisions to this year. Getting a governor to pardon a sex offender so soon after the conviction and thus removing him from the sex offender registry would be extra difficult because the governor risks a political firestorm if he did that, especially when the victim was only age 13. If you want to try, considering consulting a law firm in Ohio that has experience with pardon petitions. You’ll need to make a very compelling case to convince the governor you have reformed and pose no threat to kids now at the very least.

The victim herself is at best 18 right now; I cannot see this OP being pardoned for a long, long time ... if at all.

OP, spare a thought for your victim please.

While granted his chances are remote, any thought that Governor Kasich will pardon a sex offender after such a short time while he is still, technically a candidate for President of the United States, are wishful thinking at best.

Thank you for your input.

I am not here to argue or complain.

I understand there are consequences for my actions and I have paid my debt to society.

At this point I am trying to move on with my life and give back to society. As long as this is on my record, that is extremely difficult. I can't get hired anywhere, I can't live anywhere, and I can't volunteer anywhere. Its one door after another closing on me and everyone saying no and all I want to do is live my life for God and do his will, but its these roadblocks I am trying to navigate.

I am seeking professional legal advice on the best way to go about a governor's pardon as I see that as my only way out at this point. Another option may be to reduce the number of years I register, but that will not clear me through background checks. I need to be able to pass a background check. If there is another option I'm open to anything and will do anything I need to do.

Any advice you have to help me is greatly appreciated. Thank you once again!

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Quoting bbqribs24

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I understand there are consequences for my actions and I have paid my debt to society.

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Not yet, you haven't. After 25 years, you will have. Thus are the consequences for taking advantage of a child.

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Quoting Pringle

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Not yet, you haven't. After 25 years, you will have. Thus are the consequences for taking advantage of a child.

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Please refrain from bullying on this forum. I've heard it all at this point. I am not here to hear what I did wrong, I have beat myself up enough about that. I have asked for forgiveness from God many times and have prayed about the shame I have felt from this.

I am here to find solutions for moving forward with my life. That is all. Thank you.

Quote:

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Quoting bbqribs24

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Please refrain from bullying on this forum. I've heard it all at this point. I am not here to hear what I did wrong, I have beat myself up enough about that. I have asked for forgiveness from God many times and have prayed about the shame I have felt from this.

I am here to find solutions for moving forward with my life. That is all. Thank you.

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No one is bullying you. Not at all.