Those with an old conviction or a criminal past can leverage expungement to seal their records from the public. With expungements, those with a criminal record can shield themselves from the biases associated with their criminal past. In Oklahoma, more people have become eligible to have their arrests and cases expunged following the enactment of new legislation on November 1, 2019. The affected categories are people with two nonviolent felony convictions and those convicted of a nonviolent felony that has since been reclassified as a misdemeanor.
Free Resources from OKC Expungement Attorneys:
Do you want your Oklahoma criminal record expunged for a clean start? Our team of Your Fierce Advocates® at Cannon & Associates is led by Army Veteran, John Cannon and we’re privileged to be Oklahoma City criminal record expungement attorneys. Our Oklahoma expungement attorneys can help you explore options for a fresh start to Your Better Future. Please find FREE RESOURCES on our YouTube page, our website, and our FAQ Expungement in Oklahoma page, until we meet to answer your specific Oklahoma expungement questions. You may also CALL NOW at (405) 972-8604, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week for a free Oklahoma expungement planning session to understand your options for if or when you qualify for an expungement in Oklahoma!
Eligibility of Individuals with Two Nonviolent Felony Convictions
Individuals may be eligible to have their cases expunged if:
- They were convicted of no more than two non-violent felonies,
- They have no prior criminal convictions that required registration as a sex offender,
- They have no pending felony or misdemeanor charges against them,
- At least 10 years have passed since they completed the sentence for the felony conviction.
Before this legislation, a criminal convict who falls in the category listed above required a governor’s pardon before their arrest and case records could be expunged. Now, the ex-convict is required to meet the new requirements and wait at least ten years after they have completed their sentence to be eligible for expungement.
It is important to note that this law allows each individual to expunge two felonies, however, they must wait for at least ten years since the sentence for each felony has been completed to do so.
Nonviolent Felony Reclassified as a Misdemeanor
Individuals may be eligible to have their arrest and case expunged if;
- They were convicted of a nonviolent felony that was later reclassified as a misdemeanor under the state’s law,
- They have no current criminal charges or have completed their sentence in Oklahoma or another state
- At least 30 days have passed since their sentence for the crime reclassified as a misdemeanor was completed or commutated
- All restitution ordered by the court have been satisfied in full, and
- All court-ordered treatment programs have been completed successfully. This includes successful completion of an earlier failed treatment program resulting in a revoked or accelerated sentence.
This legislative change will essentially make SQ 780 retroactive. However, there is a huge disparity between what was proposed in the initial bill and what was passed into law as regards SQ 7800. This new expungement provision now requires the defendant to get a criminal conviction first and does not cater to defendants on felony deferred sentences for the crimes that were subsequently reclassified as a misdemeanor.
Individuals who wish to expunge a felony deferred sentence still have to wait a period of 5 years after their case has been dismissed while those who have been convicted can wait 30 days then file for expungement.
Free Resources from OKC Expungement Attorneys:
Do you want your Oklahoma criminal record expunged for a clean start? Our team of Your Fierce Advocates® at Cannon & Associates is led by Army Veteran, John Cannon and we’re privileged to be Oklahoma City criminal record expungement attorneys. Our Oklahoma expungement attorneys can help you explore options for a fresh start to Your Better Future. Please find FREE RESOURCES on our YouTube page, our website, and our FAQ Expungement in Oklahoma page, until we meet to answer your specific Oklahoma expungement questions. You may also CALL NOW at (405) 972-8604, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week for a free Oklahoma expungement planning session to understand your options for if or when you qualify for an expungement in Oklahoma!
Your Next Steps
Have you been convicted of a criminal offense? Have you served your sentence yet you’re suffering from the consequences of your criminal conviction? Get a clean slate to start your life afresh with the right expungement lawyer. Speak to experienced Oklahoma expungement attorneys at Cannon & Associates for legal guidance. Complete the CONTACT FORM ON THIS PAGE NOW or CALL at (405) 657-2323. for answers to your questions and to see if you qualify for an expungement.