Quote Quoting ForgiveThySin
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... I only wished my lawyer had told me that the words 'dismissed' and 'record clearance' came with strings (i.e. no matter what it will still permanently remain on public records), I would have fought those charges to the end instead of accepting a plea bargain to save attorney costs and time all because I mistakenly thought that dismissed and records clearance after the probation period would be as simple as that.

I don't want to give up fighting to restore my integrity and rights, but when there are so many barriers to overcome, it's definitely an impossible feeling..

Thank you again for everyones help.
I was in your shoes over 10 years ago. 14 years ago I accepted a plea deal and 10 years ago got it all expunged. Part of the deal I might add. I made the deal to save myself a lot of trouble. Then I encountered the private criminal background reports.

After many years of soul searching and dealing with the embarrasement I now look back when I see your post.

You have to forgive yourself and not second guess your decision. You probably would have spent so much money and believe me, the courts are not set up for the prosecutor to lose. I wasn't guilty, but I had a lot of explaining to do. So I took the plea bargain road, and well, it was tough. But if I hadn't and had lost the case, it would have been worse.

I gave up trying to hide the conviction and when I was asked, I didn't lie. People have the capacity to forgive. And if you think people can't move on past convictions, look at Bill Clinton, Martha Stewart, Oliver North.. just to name a few.