HOW TO EXPUNGE A MINNESOTA CRIMINAL RECORD & RESTORE FIREARM RIGHTS
Don’t Let Past Hurt Your Future
Having a criminal record in Minnesota makes life more difficult. A criminal record can limit you from getting the job you want, obtaining housing, getting professional licenses, legally owning a firearm, qualifying for government programs, receiving student loans, and many other opportunities which would otherwise be available to you.
When charged with a crime in the State of Minnesota, no matter the level of offense, the complete criminal record history for the offender is kept by courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, and certain state agencies such as the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Information relating to the charge and court proceedings are generally publicly available.
Minnesota’s BCA maintains criminal records for the state in an online record of cases including both public and private records. Public records can be accessed by potential employers or landlords, having a different influence on the opportunities afforded to past offenders. Fortunately, Minnesota provides for the expungement of certain conviction and arrest records, as well as the restoration of firearm rights.
Know Your Options
Minnesota provides a few methods to deal with a criminal record, so it’s important to review the specific circumstances surrounding the offenses on your criminal record to determine your best option.
Minnesota Conviction Expungement
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Minnesota law also allows for the expungement of criminal records for almost all misdemeanor convictions and certain felony convictions. The expungement fully seals the arrest and conviction records held by state and local criminal record databases, making them inaccessible to potential employers, landlords, the general public, and most government agencies.
Minnesota Arrest Record Expungement
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Minnesota law allows for the expungement of criminal records that did not result in a conviction. The expungement fully seals the arrest records held by state and local criminal record databases, making them inaccessible to potential employers, landlords, the general public, and most government agencies
Minnesota Firearm Rights Restoration
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Minnesota law restricts firearm possession for any person convicted of a felony offense of violence. A person can have this right fully restored by petitioning a court for the restoration of their firearm rights if they can demonstrate to the court that they have been rehabilitated. Upon a court’s granting of a firearm restoration order, a person is no longer restricted from owning or possessing firearms under Minnesota State law.
This Information is for You
Since the majority of people reading this aren’t lawyers, we’ve tried to simplify the legal jargon on our website, so regular people may follow along and get the information needed to understand their rights. However, before we get started, we should be clear that some of this information can get complicated, and, in many cases, it’s best to seek the assistance of an experienced lawyer.
To help you understand your rights, our lawyers have developed a tool that can be helpful in figuring out your options. This tool can’t be perfectly accurate in every situation, but our lawyers have invested substantial time and resources working to make it as accurate as possible.
You can get started by using our Secure Eligibility Test, or you can give us a call at (844) 947-3732 to see if our legal staff is available for a free consultation. Be aware that our staff is often busy with current clients and a high volume of calls and appointments. If you’re serious about getting rid of your record, your best bet is to take our secure, confidential Eligibility Test and then schedule an appointment to discuss your results and options.
Legal Effect of Minnesota Criminal Record Services
The two biggest issues our law firm’s clients encounter relate to obtaining employment and restoring firearm rights, so we’re going to discuss each.
How Will Expunging Your Conviction or Arrest Record Help You Get a Better Job?
arrow_drop_downExpungement is the best way to deal with a Minnesota criminal record if you need to pass a background check for a job. An expunged record is not destroyed by the court, but it is sealed by the court, making it unavailable to prospective employers, landlords, and the general public. Law enforcement may still access expunged records for investigating and prosecuting crimes, and they may also access expunged records for hiring purposes. The Board of Teaching may also access certain expunged records for employment purposes.
As is the case in other states, certain aspects of Minnesota’s expungement laws are discretionary. Even if you meet the requirements to have your conviction expunged, there is no guarantee that the judge will grant the order. Petitioners for expungement need to convince the judge that granting the expungement will be in the public interest, and that the public is not in need of access to your criminal records. Judges will consider several factors in making this determination, but this will be discussed in more detail on our expungement pages.
The process of obtaining an expungement takes at least six months, so don’t wait until it’s too late and you need the expungement immediately. Starting the process as soon as possible is vital to ensuring that you do not miss out on job opportunities.
How Can You Restore Your Second Amendment Right to Own and Possess a Firearm?
arrow_drop_downAn expungement in Minnesota will not restore your firearm rights, but Minnesota law provides a process for those who have been convicted of a crime of violence or felony drug crime. If your firearm rights were taken away for a crime of violence or felony drug crime, you may petition the court under Minn. Stat. § 609.165 to restore your firearm rights.
We will go into more detail regarding restoring Second Amendment rights in Minnesota on our Minnesota Firearm Rights Restoration page, but restoration typically involves both state and federal law that should be handled by an experienced lawyer. The lawyers in our firm regularly handle complex firearm rights restoration issues, so a good first step in exploring whether you can restore your firearm rights would be to take our Secure Eligibility Test. Then, if appropriate, set up a time to speak with our legal staff about how to proceed.
What You Need to Do to Get Rid of Your Record
If you are tired of having a criminal record hold you back, reach out to us by taking our Secure Eligibility Test or by giving us a call at (844) 947-3732. Our law firm has helped thousands of people with criminal records move on in life, leaving many of the negative effects of a criminal record behind. Our experienced attorneys and legal staff are here to help you figure out what criminal record clearing services best fit your needs, and then help you accomplish your goals. Using our secure, confidential Eligibility Test is the best way to get the process started.
Some of the potential benefits of expunging your criminal record in Minnesota include:
- Removing a finding of guilt from your criminal record to help you get a better job
- Becoming eligible for professional licenses you previously did not qualify for
- Restoring your Second Amendment Right to bear arms
- No longer being treated as a felon
- Increased eligibility for student loans, housing assistance, and government programs
- Improving your ability to obtain higher-paying job opportunities
- Improving access and admission to college and other educational resources
Each of Minnesota’s methods for dealing with your criminal record have different requirements and are meant for different circumstances. To move forward, it’s important to determine which Minnesota criminal record services are available to you, and then select the services that will provide the greatest benefit. Eastman Meyler, PC is here to help you navigate this very specific area of Minnesota criminal law, fight to protect your rights, and assist you in moving forward in life without the effects of a Minnesota criminal record.
Minnesota Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Qualify for an Expungement in Minnesota?
arrow_drop_downThe easiest way to find out is by taking our confidential, free Eligibility Test. In the alternative, you can refer to the pages specific to your situation to see a more in-depth explanation about the requirements. Give us a call at 844-947-3732 to speak with a criminal records analyst or attorney today!
I Do Not Qualify, is There Anything Else I Can Do?
arrow_drop_downIf you are not qualified for the above services but are still looking for ways to improve your life, our affiliate, OnlinePrivacySolutions (OPS) has an alternative to remove your records and personal information from the private online background check databases that matter the most. Note, however, that this is not a legal service that, and is not a substitute for an expungement.
How Much Do I Pay For the Services?
arrow_drop_downPrices are different for different services in Minnesota. We offer payment plans based on the client’s needs, and a refund policy when circumstances apply. Contact us today to get a tailored quote – we always offer discounts to clients ready to take actions!
What do I Need To Do to Get Started?
arrow_drop_downIf you are reading this – you have already started the right course of action! Contact us so that our experts can start handling your expungement/restricted access right away.
Why should I choose WipeRecord to handle My Expungement/Record Sealing?
arrow_drop_downHaving your record expunged/sealed is not an easy process – there are many subtle rules that need to be followed for you to be successful. Hiring us to obtain a satisfactory result on your behalf will give you peace of mind, ensuring it is done correctly and as quickly as possible, and increasing your chances of success. We will handle any objections the District Attorney may present, send a licensed attorney to argue your case in court if need be, and write letters to potential employers indicating that your case has been reopened and is in the process of being removed from your criminal record, all at an unbeatable price.
How Long Do I Have to Wait for the Petition to be Granted?
arrow_drop_downThe most frequently question we hear from clients is – how long do I have to wait? We understand the importance of working efficiently so we try our best to move things forward. However, an expungement usually takes several months to obtain, depending on the particular county, and sometimes the particular court, but we generally tell clients that it may take six to eight monthsto obtain results.
Am I Required to Go to Court?
arrow_drop_downTypically, clients do not have to show up in court for us to do our job. Under rare circumstances where you are required to attend a hearing, we will be there every step of the way and make sure you have nothing to worry about.
How do I Learn About My Case Status once I Hire WipeRecord?
arrow_drop_downWe strive to make our clients informed and assured of every processes of their case. Our clients can log in to their custom client portal, allowing them to see all the relevant information about their case. Clients also receive regular updates on their case from our paralegals, and one can always contact us by either email or phone for an update.
I Am Interested In Getting My Gun Rights Restored. What do I do?
arrow_drop_downUnfortunately, firearm rights restoration is complicated and frustrating in most states – contact us directly and let us know if we can help or take our eligibility test!