As we have discussed in other posts on this blog, getting an old conviction expunged can give you better opportunities in your life, where otherwise a potential employer or renter might see the conviction and decide not to take a chance on you. Expungements are most often granted for minor crimes, but what if you hope to wipe a conviction for a violent crime off your record? Is this possible for you and other Missouri residents?

FindLaw explains that expungements are usually given for crimes people committed as juveniles, as well as minor misdemeanor convictions. Your luck getting a violent crime expunged would depend on the charge’s severity, as well as your criminal record. Do you have other convictions on your record? Was the violent crime a serious one, such as felony domestic violence or armed robbery? If so, you may have difficulty getting these expunged.

On the other hand, you may have more luck seeking an expungement for a lesser violent crime, such as charges you received while in college for a hazing incident or for an arrest after a bar fight that you were unwittingly drawn into. Domestic violence is often considered a serious crime, but you may be successful if you can show that the charges were unsubstantiated, and you do not have a history of violence against your partner or others.

Expungement is a complex topic that requires experienced legal counsel. Therefore, the information in this post is not meant to replace the advice of a lawyer.