Expungement Attorney in Louisiana

Helping Clients Manage Criminal Records Through the Sealing and Expungement Process

Criminal convictions can haunt you for life. You might have completed your sentence, fulfilled all conditions of your probation and parole, paid any restitution, and behaved as a model citizen, but in the eyes of many people, you are still a former convict. A criminal conviction can make it difficult to get a job, a professional license, a loan, or a credit card, and it can have other consequences for your personal and professional life as well. Recognizing the harmful after-effects of criminal convictions, Louisiana law allows certain convictions to be expunged from the public record.

If you were convicted of a nonviolent misdemeanor or felony, a Louisiana expungement lawyer may be able to help. At Whiddon Criminal Defense, we’ll determine whether you may be eligible for expungement, and if so, we’ll help you get your clean slate.

Don’t let your past define you. Request a free case evaluation and take the first step toward a clean slate.

What Is Expungement?

Expungement deletes your criminal history from the public record. Once a court has granted expungement, the record of your arrest, conviction, and court proceedings will no longer be publicly viewable. All that remains will be a confidential record available only to certain government and state licensing agencies. Employers, landlords, banks, and curious neighbors will not find any record of the criminal arrest or conviction.

What Types of Expungement Services Are Available?

At Whiddon Criminal Defense, we represent clients across the full spectrum of expungement law in Louisiana. Our team is skilled at preparing and filing a proper expungement petition in even the most complex circumstances.

Felony Expungement: If you have a felony arrest or conviction that meets legal eligibility under the Louisiana expungement law, our firm can assess whether your record may be expunged.
Misdemeanor Expungement: For misdemeanor convictions, including those involving nonviolent offenses, we work to qualify your case for relief under applicable statutes.
DWI / DUI Expungement: Driving-while-intoxicated offenses pose special challenges. Our role as a seasoned expungement attorney is to evaluate whether your DWI/DUI conviction falls within the allowable relief framework and to aggressively pursue a favorable outcome.

No matter the severity of your case, an order from the court can result in a cleaner arrest record or an expunged record that is shielded from public access, limiting its impact on your future.

Expungement Eligibility in Louisiana

Not every case qualifies for expungement in Louisiana, but many people are surprised to learn that certain offenses may be eligible to be removed from public view after specific requirements are met. Eligibility often depends on factors such as the type of criminal charges, whether the case resulted in a conviction, and how much time has passed since the matter was resolved. In some situations, individuals charged with a misdemeanor offense may qualify for relief once waiting periods and court requirements are satisfied.

It is also important to understand that individuals with pending charges typically cannot move forward with expungement until those matters are resolved. Additionally, the law treats different offenses differently. For instance, some charges may qualify sooner, while others require longer waiting periods or additional steps before expungement becomes available.

Because the legal process for clearing a record involves strict filing requirements and court procedures, working with an experienced attorney can help ensure that your request is handled properly. An experienced expungement lawyer can review your case history, determine whether your offenses may qualify for expungement in Louisiana, and guide you through each step needed to pursue a fresh start.

Misdemeanor Expungements

Louisiana criminal procedure allows for certain convictions to be expunged. Not every criminal conviction can be expunged–some are excluded, and some may be ineligible due to the conduct of the defendant or other circumstances. However, many misdemeanor convictions are eligible for expungement. There are two main routes for the expungement of criminal records in Louisiana.

First, if you enter into a deferred prosecution agreement as part of your criminal case and you successfully complete the requirements set by the court, then the court can set aside and dismiss your conviction. Convictions dismissed following deferred prosecution can be expunged.

For convictions not subject to deferred prosecution dismissal, if it’s been at least five years since you completed all parts of your sentence (parole, probation, etc.), and you haven’t been convicted of a crime in the meantime, you could be eligible for expungement. Certain additional limitations apply, and certain types of convictions are excluded (violent crimes, sex crimes, etc.), but a savvy misdemeanor expungement lawyer at Whiddon Criminal Defense can evaluate your case and determine whether you’re eligible.

Felony Expungements

As surprising as it may seem, even felonies may be eligible for expungement under Louisiana criminal law. Felony convictions can be especially harmful to your career, your personal life, your finances, and your immigration status. It’s hard to shake the stigma of being an “ex-con” or a “felon,” even if you’ve done everything to repay society since your convictions.

If it’s been more than ten years since you completed your sentence and any parole or probation, you haven’t been convicted of any crimes in the meantime, and you haven’t already had another felony conviction expunged, your felony criminal records may be eligible for expungement. You might also be able to have your records expunged if your conviction was set aside pursuant to a deferred prosecution agreement. The felony conviction expungement lawyer at Whiddon Criminal Defense can walk you through your options and help you get relief from your felony conviction.

DWI/DUI Expungements

DWIs are among the most common crimes that we see clients hoping to expunge in Monroe, Louisiana. If you have a DWI/OWI/DUI conviction on your record, it can affect your personal and professional life. You are not alone.

DWI convictions are subject to the same rules as other convictions, with a few additional caveats. Certain additional evidence must be provided to obtain an expungement, and certain additional limitations apply. DWI misdemeanor convictions can only be obtained once every ten years. Deferred prosecution for a felony DWI is available, but with certain additional limitations as well.

If you’ve been convicted of DWI in Monroe, the seasoned Louisiana expungement lawyer at Whiddon Criminal Defense can review your case to determine if you might be eligible for expungement or other relief.

Call Our Louisiana Expungement Lawyer for Help Clearing Your Criminal Record

If you have a felony or misdemeanor conviction, your record could be eligible for expungement. We’re prepared to review your case and evaluate whether you are eligible for expungement or other relief. If there’s a way to clear your name, we’ll find it. Our aim is to let you truly move on with your life. Our criminal defense attorney in Louisiana at Whiddon Criminal Defense is ready to help you fight for your rights, your freedom, and your future.