Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

expunging a criminal record

How long after you are convicted can you expunge a class c felony


Asked on 7/18/09, 4:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Paul Ferris Law Office of Paul T. Ferris

Re: VACATING a criminal record

Provided the offense is not a sex offense or a "crime against persons", a class C felony conviction can be vacated five years after the date of the Certificate of Discharge. To be eligible, the offender also must not have a conviction for any criminal offense after discharge.

"Expunge" means to totally destroy a record; adult criminal conviction records cannot be destroyed.

It may be possible to seal the record, but there is an exceptionally high burden to meet.

Note that it is a Certificate of Discharge that restores core civil rights. A separate petition must be filed to restore gun rights. Vacating a conviction is unrelated to either of these.

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Answered on 7/20/09, 2:30 pm


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