Legal Question in Criminal Law in District of Columbia
drinking in public
Hello, I was caught drinking in public and arrested yest. I admitted my mistake. Police took me to jail and let me go after posting a collateral of $25. They also took my fingerprints. Is there a way to get this record expunged by participating in a misdemeanor program or filing some forms? Thx for any advice.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: drinking in public
There are two possible records to be concerned with here, one for your arrest which apparently occurred yesterday and one for your conviction which may or may not happen at some time in the future. Before exploring the issue of expungement, you would want to be sure with which you are dealing, i.e, one or both records. If you discuss the matter with the prosecutor in the Office of DC Attorney General who's assigned to your case, there may be a way to avoid conviction on the this DC petty offense type violation by participating in some kind of diversion program involving community service or something similar. The prosecutor should be able to advise your further on this issue.
In any event, the expungement of your record(s) will most likely be appropriate for review and action(if such is possible) approximately one year from the time these record(s) were first incurred.