Legal Question in Criminal Law in Louisiana

Re: expungement from other states

Dear LawGuru Friend,

Congratulations upon your having completed your probation successfully and having been allowed to withdraw your previous plea of guilty and having had the charge dismissed, as well as for having had your arrest record expunged! I agree with what Mr. Casanave has already advised you; and, further, since the charge was dismissed by the State of Louisiana, you have not been convicted; and you can truthfully state on a job application that you have not pled guilty nor been convicted of a felony; for you took back your plea of guilty, so it does not exist. The only negative about an article 893 plea, such as you made, is that should you ever get convicted of another felony, then the State of Louisiana could count it as a "second" felony. Since the record is expunged, I do not know how the State of Louisiana would even know about it, except that perhaps the District Attorney's files are not expunged; but take comfort in the fact that the D.A.'s files are not a matter of public record. You have noting to worry about. Connecticut must recognize Louisiana's laws under the "full faith and credit" clause of the United States Constitution. You have nothing to worry about. My suggestion is to forget it and get on with your life. Best of luck! Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all other things you desire shall be added unto you. May be a little of a misquote, but not much. Again, good luck!

Sincerely,

Hardy Parkerson, Atty.

Lake Charles, LA

Re: expungement from other states

If the matter is expunged then Connecticut should have no record of the conviction at all.