Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer Helping Clients With Expungements
In today's society, especially with the power of the Internet, your history, including your criminal record, is available to anyone for a cost. However, the cost of this information being so easily available may be enormous to you in that it can cost you a job, a dormitory housing application from being granted, financial aid for formal education or vocational training, or even from obtaining credit or insurance.
If you were a party to a lawsuit, your name and details of the action can be accessed. If you were arrested 10 or 15 years ago, this information is still accessible. Even a minor offense that occurred while you were in college can have much more serious consequences later on.
At the Law Offices of Montella E. Smith, located in Columbia, Maryland, we can help protect your name and reputation by applying to expunge your records that are searchable on the criminal and civil judiciary case search databases. To learn more about how we can help you, please do not hesitate to contact our office today to schedule a free initial consultation with our experienced criminal law attorney.
When you meet with attorney Smith, he will carefully listen to your concerns and goals. He will gather all the information surrounding any legal situation you have been involved with, what felony or misdemeanor crimes you were charged with and the disposition of the case, including:
- Convictions
- Plea bargain involving a guilty plea
- Probation before judgment
- Stet docket proceedings where you may have complied with certain conditions of a stet (DUI alcohol treatment, rehab or education, anger management, community service, etc.) and your case was set aside for a time and then dismissed because you fulfilled terms
- Trial that results in an acquittal
- Nolle prosequi
- Charges that were otherwise dismissed
- Arrests where you were never formally charged
Generally, most types of criminal matters can be expunged, except for DUI, homicide by motor vehicle with alcohol, any degree of murder, and manslaughter, but you should always consult with an experienced attorney when contemplating filing for an expungement.
We will analyze your criminal record to see if you qualify for expungement. We will draft and file the paperwork on your behalf and represent you if the state's attorney objects to your expungement petition. They can request a hearing, especially if you have an extensive criminal record, where they can ask that the expungement be denied. We will seek to prove to the court that you have turned over a new leaf and should be granted the expungement as a new lease on life.
An expungement is important because it can result in the police destroying your record or removing your records from public database systems and access. Anyone who has been arrested for anything should seek out counsel on expungement so you can protect your future. To set up a free initial consultation, contact us or call us at 410-964-2331. Our offices are located near Route 100, close to Interstate 95. We are open to meet with clients during normal business hours and are available evenings and weekends by special appointment. We accept all major credit cards.
We investigate...we evaluate...we litigate.
Montella E. Smith
Attorney at Law
8850 Columbia 100 Parkway
Suite 303
Columbia, MD 21045
Telephone: 410-964-2331 | Fax: 410-964-2359