Ohio Expungement Resources and FAQs
Information about Felony and Misdemeanor Expungement
Recent Wins in the Last Year
The legal landscape changed dramatically with the passage of OH HB1. In the last year, we have seen some very complicated cases and wanted to share are HB1 cases involving multiple convictions.
What is Record Expungement?
Learn the definition of expungement, and find how Ohio treats the expungement of criminal records.
Record Expungement vs. Criminal Record Sealing?
Learn the difference between expungement and the sealing of a criminal record in Ohio.
Columbus Expungement Team
Our team represents hundreds of clients each year in Columbus and the metro area. If you have a conviction in a municipal or mayor’s court in the Columbus DMA, our Columbus expungement team can help.
Application for Expungement
Learn about the expungement application process and various court requirements. Learn more about the application for expungement.
How to Apply for Record Expungement
The application process for record expungement can be a complicated one. Learn more about the record expungement process.
Reapplying for Expungement
Many applicants we talk to have previously applied for expungement and have been denied. Recent changes to the law have eased requirements, so there has never been a better time to reapply for an expungement in Ohio.
The Expungement Hearing
The expungement hearing is one of the main steps in the expungement process. Learn what to expect during the expungement hearing.
We also get questions about having to attend a hearing. Read our answers to two questions about going to court for an expungement application.
Expungement Forms
The expungement process in Ohio can be complex and knowing what expungement forms need filed is part of the process. Our firm knows how to handle the expungement application process and can help you navigate it.
Cincinnati Expungement Team
Our team represents hundreds of clients each year in Cincinnati and the metro area. If you have a conviction in a municipal or mayor’s court in the Cincinnati area, our Cincinnati expungement team can help.
Felony Expungement
There are certain offenses that are eligible for expungement and some that are a little more complicated. Learn which convictions are felony expungement eligible.
Mayors Court Expungement
The process of a mayor’s court expungement offers some challenges. Our firm will guide you through the process of mayor’s court expungement forms.
Misdemeanor Expungement in Ohio
A misdemeanor conviction can be a mistake from the past, and can prevent you from obtaining a job. A misdemeanor expungement can help clear your record and apply with confidence.
In the past, applicants were limited by the number of misdemeanors on their criminal record, but recent changes to the Ohio expungement statute have expanded eligibility for people with multiple misdemeanors.
There are a number of common Misdemeanor charges that we represent, including Misdemeanor Theft, Passing Bad Checks, Shoplifting, Simple Assault, Campus Arrests, Domestic Violence, Marijuana Possession & more.
Toledo Expungement Team
Our team represents hundreds of clients each year in Toledo and the metro area. If you have a conviction in a municipal or mayor’s court in the Toledo area, our Toledo expungement team can help.
Expungement of Dismissed Charges
A non-conviction of an offense can be just as difficult to clear as a conviction. Learn about the process of filing a petition for expungement of a dismissed charge.
Can a Court Deny Expungement for a Dismissed Charge?
From our experience, it is rare, but we have seen it happen. Learn why a judge may deny a request to expunge a dismissed conviction.
DUI Expungement in Ohio
Have you been convicted of DUI in Ohio? Learn about the delicate nature of these charges and how they relate to DUI Expungement.
Benefits of Expungement
Are you living with a past conviction that limits your employment opportunities? Learn the benefits of expungement and the doors it can open for job opportunities.
There are also intangible benefits that can increase your quality of life.
Dayton Expungement Team
Our team represents hundreds of clients each year in Dayton and the metro area. If you have a conviction in a municipal or mayor’s court in the Dayton area, our Dayton expungement team can help.
Seal an Embezzlement Charge
An Ohio embezzlement charge can create issues for you as you look for employment. Since embezzlement is a crime of dishonesty, it can create trust issues for potential employers.
Seal a Prostitution or Solicitation Charge
We’ve helped clients who have been convicted of solicitation and prostitution put that embarrassing mistake behind them. If you have been charged with either, find out if you are eligible for sealing a prostitution/solicitation charge.
Who is an Eligible Offender for Expungement and Sealing of Record?
Learn the definition of “Eligible Offender” and the implications for Eligible offender expungement in Ohio.
Drug Trafficking Conviction
In Ohio, certain convictions of drug trafficking and possession are eligible for expungement, depending on the felony class that is determined by the type of drug, quantity, and location that the drugs were peddled.
Minor Misdemeanor Expungement Information
Have you been convicted of a minor misdemeanor? These minor convictions can have major implications for your job opportunities. Minor misdemeanor expungement can provide relief for these convictions.
Restitution Requirements
The Ohio Supreme Court reviewed a case where the State challenged whether the defendant was required to complete restitution requirements to be eligible. Learn more about the ruling and how it affects expungement eligibility requirements in Ohio.
Who can view a sealed criminal record?
Most employers and landlords are not permitted to view a sealed record, but there are some exceptions.
Akron Expungement Team
Our team represents hundreds of clients each year in Akron and the metro area. If you have a conviction in a municipal or mayor’s court in the Akron area, our Akron expungement team can help.
Convictions NOT Eligible for Expungement
In Ohio, there are certain convictions that are not eligible for expungement. We’d encourage you to review the list and reach out to our team if you feel your situation falls in a gray area.
Fake ID convictions are a Misdemeanor in Ohio
Getting caught with a fake ID when you are underage can create problems for you down the road. Make sure that an old fake ID conviction is expunged.
Identity Theft Convictions
A conviction for stealing someone’s identity can be a major red flag to employers and lenders. Fortunately, convictions for identity theft may be eligible for expungement in Ohio.
Violations of Civil Protection Order
If you have a conviction for violating a civil protection order, that will show up on your criminal background check.
Ohio SB 66 changes eligibility rules for convictions
As of Oct 29th, the SB 66 changes take effect, significantly expanding the number of convictions that are eligible for expungement.
College Arrest Expungement/Sealing
Arrests in college/university may not seem significant until they show up on a background report. Don’t let a campus arrest weigh you down – get the college arrest expunged from your record.
Sealing a Check Fraud Conviction
Crimes of check fraud can carry some stiff penalties, but since it’s a crime of dishonesty, a check fraud conviction can damage your reputation for years to come. We’ve helped others obtain expungement of check fraud convictions.
Expungement of a Shoplifting Conviction
A Shoplifting conviction may seem minor when you were in your teens, but that conviction can pop up when you apply for a job that requires a background check. Don’t let a shoplifting conviction embarrass you every time you apply for a new job.
Sealing a Receiving Stolen Property Conviction
Whether you knowingly or unknowingly received stolen property, the impact of the conviction can impact your life in many ways.
How to Lose an Expungement Hearing
We have worked with thousands of clients on expungement matters and some have come to use after trying to apply on their own or after working with an inexperienced legal team. Learn how to lose an expungement hearing and how our experience can position you for success.
Appealing an Expungement Denial
If you tried to represent yourself in court, you may have a few options. Learn what steps you can take if you’ve been denied for expungement in an Ohio court.
Public Indecency Charges
A public indecency charge can be embarrassing and with charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony, this type of conviction can follow you around wherever you go.
Restoration of rights and privileges
A criminal conviction revokes valuable rights that we have as citizens in the state of Ohio, and many clients and prospects pursue expungement to win those rights back. Does expungement lead to rights restoration?
Traffic-Related Convictions
In most cases, a traffic-related conviction is not eligible for expungement, but there is always an exception to the rule.
Expunging a Theft Conviction
If you have been convicted of theft in Ohio, regardless of the value of what was stolen, that criminal record will follow you around until you apply to seal your theft conviction.
Sealing a Nonsupport of Dependents conviction
A failure to pay child support or alimony can result in a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the level of delinquency, but a nonsupport conviction may be eligible for expungement in Ohio.
Cleveland Expungement Team
Our team represents hundreds of clients each year in Cleveland and the metro area. If you have a conviction in a municipal or mayor’s court in the Cleveland DMA, our Cleveland expungement team can help.
Smaller Municipalities
We also represent clients in smaller municipalities including Elyria, Reynoldsburg, Westerville, Lancaster, Newark, Mt. Vernon, and more. If you have a conviction in one of these or other municipalities, let our team represent your case in the local court.
Expunging F4 and F5 Felonies
With the expansion of eligibility under OH HB1, you may be eligible to have your F4 or F5 Felonies expunged and sealed from public record.
