Rhode Island Criminal Defense Blog: Can I Expunge My Felony Charge in Rhode Island?

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Can I Expunge My Felony Charge in Rhode Island?

A question that is frequently asked by potential clients is whether they can expunge a prior felony offense. While the question may seem straightforward, such a determination can be difficult. First, your felony charge must be adjudicated. Pending criminal charges, whether they be felony or misdemeanor, cannot be expunged. For a free, confidential evaluation of your Rhode Island Criminal Record please call RI Expungement Attorney Matthew Marin at 401-228-8271 or email us at mm@matthewtmarin.com.

As a general statement, felony criminal charges that have been completely dismissed (sometimes referred to as "No Information" or "No Information Signed" or "No Information Filed") can be expunged from your criminal record immediately upon their dismissal. However, if you have been "convicted" of another felony offense you cannot have any records expunged, including a dismissed felony offense. If you have had a felony charge dismissed, it is definitely in your best interests to speak with a skilled Rhode Island Expungement Lawyer. At the Law Offices of Matthew T. Marin, Esquire, Inc., we can give you a quick, no-nonsense evaluation regarding your eligibility to have your dismissed felony charge expunged.

If your felony charge was resolved via a negotiated plea or a trial and you were sentenced, the general rule is that you must wait 10 years from the date that your sentence was completed. So, if you were sentenced to five years of probation you would need to wait an additional 10 years after your probation ended prior to being eligible to have the case expunged. But, in the case of a felony upon which you received a sentence, you will not be eligible to have the case expunged if you have any other criminal convictions, misdemeanor or felony. This can become a complex analysis and it is always in your best interest to seek an evaluation from an experienced RI Expungement Lawyer.

Our offices are conveniently located in downtown Providence and downtown Newport. Contact our expungement lawyers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can provide you with a no-nonsense, free and confidential consultation regarding your eligibility to have your records expunged or sealed. For more information on Rhode Island Expungement Laws, please visit the links below: