How to Expunge a Criminal Record in Rhode Island
- 1). Review the requirements to determine if you are eligible for expungement in Rhode Island. Expungement is only available to first-time offenders.
- 2). Wait the required amount of time. You cannot have your criminal record expunged until a number of years have passed. For misdemeanor convictions, the waiting period is five years after successful completion of sentence or probation. Felony offenders must wait ten years.
- 3). File a motion to expunge with the court that originally heard your case. The court's clerk's office may be available to help you fill out the necessary paperwork. The clerk's office will set a hearing date.
- 4). Give notice of the hearing date to the Department of the Attorney General and the police department that originally brought the charge. The court will provide you with forms to notify those departments.
- 5). Attend your hearing. In order for an expungement to be granted in Rhode Island, you must demonstrate good moral character, be successfully rehabilitated and not have gotten into any further trouble.
- 6). Keep a copy of the expungement order, if the judge grants one. If the order is granted, copies of the expungement order will be mailed to the Department of the Attorney General and any other law enforcement agency known to have copies of your records.
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