How Long Does A Misdemeanor Stay On Your Record
Have you accidentally done something that you shouldn’t have? It’s okay, we all make mistakes every now and then. If you’ve been handed that scary piece of paper that says you have committed a misdemeanor, there are probably a number of things that are going through your head. While a part of you is probably feeling incredibly guilty for whatever you have done, it is not uncommon for the question ‘how long does a misdemeanor stay on your record’ to be racing through your mind. Since most people want a clean record so that they can benefit from easy admission into colleges and the workplace, it is not unnatural to have such thoughts floating through your head.
This might not be what you want to read, but virtually all misdemeanors will last forever. Having said that, the answer to the question, ‘how long does a misdemeanor stay on your record?’ is not all that simple. Although theoretically, all wrongs you have committed become a permanent part of public record, they are not necessarily permanent in all circumstances. It is, under certain limited circumstances, possible to remove one’s misdemeanors from public record.
It is important to keep in mind that not all misdemeanors can be removed from record. In answering the question how long does a misdemeanor stay on your record, you need to take into account the type of misdemeanor you committed. The general rule of thumb is that serious offenses, including murder, manslaughter, rape and battery remain on people’s records forever. On the other hand, it is normally easier to remove certain lighter offenses from public records. For example, if you were caught stealing a rose from a neighbor’s lawn, you can take certain actions to prevent it from appearing on your public record.
People are often curious about the answer to the question: how long does a misdemeanor stay on your record? This is because you need a perfect criminal record in order to obtain various licenses such as for driving certain types of vehicles and for firearms. The good news is that if your offense was minor in nature and if you are able to actually expunge it from your record, you can tell creditors, employers and various government agencies that you have a perfectly clean record. This is likely to make your life easier in a number of possible circumstances.
Now that you know the answer to the question, ‘how long does a misdemeanor stay on your record?’ you are probably wondering how to go about getting rid of any misdemeanors on your public record. The procedure to expunge misdemeanors is complicated because it varies from one jurisdiction to the next. Your best bet would be to hire a competent attorney so that he can take care of all the paperwork. If you are low on cash, you should file a motion in a district court near you. You’ll have to fill out a form explaining why you deserve to have your misdemeanors written off.
