My question involves criminal law for the state of: Missouri My fiance and I were charged with assault 3rd degree after calling Wright City police to "what we thought" would be a sensible solution to my fiance coming back into the home to remove some personal items for the evening, until cooler heads could prevail. After the officers showed up they took our statements and issued is both tickets for assault 3rd degree. We did NOT press charges on each other and just simply wanted their assistance in diffusing the situation. We were given court dates which we both appeared together and explained to the judge and prosecuting attorney that we had no history of violence and were unsure as to why we had been charged. We were told we could either pay the fine of $150 and costs of $24.50 or ask for a trial in which the costs could be much greater, and would end up being found guilty anyway unless we hired an attorney. We dont have the money to pay attorney fees, and decided to pay our fine. We were not told that this would give us an automatic criminal record since we were essentially leading guilty.
I can now not volunteer at my childrens school since I have a criminal history, their school does a background check on potential volunteers.
I also am a professional person who has a history, which i feel is unfair. I have never even received a speeding ticket.
My question is how to begin expungement proceedings, and do I stand a chance at this.
Just seems when you contact law enforcement for help to diffuse, and it becomes a worse decision its simply unfair.
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