Originally posted on Bankrate
It should come as no surprise that a criminal conviction can severely hurt your finances. Background checks don’t just list convictions, either. Even if you weren’t convicted, an arrest can still show up on a potential employer’s or landlord’s background check.
If any of the above applies to you, you’re not alone; more than 70 million Americans have some kind of criminal record. However, barring serious offenses, mistakes you made in the past don’t have to last your whole life. There are some steps that past offenders can take to wipe the slate clean.
The cost of carrying a criminal record
Ex-offenders may face a variety of official sanctions or restrictions known as collateral consequences. A variety of professionals may run background checks, including but not limited to:
Employers.
Landlords/leasing agents.
Lenders.
Attorneys.
The internet also provides many commercial background check websites available to the public. Anyone curious can stumble upon an ex-offender’s criminal history. That knowledge can add unnecessary strain to a relationship.
One of the biggest hurdles for ex-offenders is finding a decent job. Those who have served prison time face a far more difficult situation than those who have served community service or paid fines.
But criminal records can also act as a barrier to higher education, one path toward higher-paying jobs. According to the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, most schools ask applicants to disclose criminal history:
81 percent of private schools.
55 percent of public schools.
40 percent of community colleges.
Criminal histories can also hurt an ex-offender’s chance of receiving federal student aid. So it’s more unlikely and more expensive for ex-offenders to enter higher education.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. There’s increasing support for “ban the box” initiatives nationwide. These initiatives want to make it easier for prisoners to apply for schools and jobs without disclosing their criminal history. Their aim is to remove the check box from applications asking if applicants have a criminal record.
Each state also offers “clean slate” programs to ex-offenders. Participation in these programs makes it possible to clear your criminal record. It’s a process that can include expungement, closure or destruction of records.
Wiping the slate clean: What to do and how to do it
If you’ve committed a misdemeanor or a nonviolent felony, you may be able to ask for clemency. There are steps you can take to earn a pardon or expunge past offenses from your history. But it depends on the level of the criminal offense.
What are the three basic levels of criminal offenses?
Step 1: Determine if you’re qualified
Qualifications for clemency vary by state and criminal offense. But responsible parties will also consider whether the offender was an adult or juvenile when the crime was committed.
Juveniles face far more relaxed qualification standards than adults. States that offer no expungement protocol for adults will offer some for juveniles. It’s another form of clemency — so the mistakes of youth don’t follow offenders into adulthood.
Clemency requirements are more rigid for adults, and it’s more likely that a misdemeanor will be forgiven than a felony. Other states allow expungement only if there was no conviction. Also, note that some states offer sealing instead of expungement. Sealing doesn’t erase the record entirely, but rather it hides the record from public view. Certain agencies and employers will still be able to see sealed records. For an in-depth exploration of expungement laws by state, visit the Restoration of Rights Project.
It’s very rare that a serious or violent felony is eligible for expungement. No matter your state of residence, the following crimes are not eligible for expungement:
Murder.
Felonies or first-degree misdemeanors with victims under 18 years of age.
Corruption of a minor.
Sexual imposition.
Rape.
Sexual battery.
Obscenity or pornography charges involving a minor.
Serious weapon charges.
Step 2: Find your type of clemency
Pardons and expungements are two different forms of clemency; one of the biggest distinctions is how they will affect your future prospects.
What’s the difference between a pardon and an expungement?
Unlike expungement, pardons do not remove your criminal offense from your history altogether. Pardons act as proof that you have been officially forgiven. Even if you have obtained a pardon, your offense may still show up on a background check.
Depending on the state you live in, some offenses are only eligible for a pardon instead of expungement. For example, not all states allow for the expungement of DUIs.
Step 3: Hire an attorney
Clemency laws are legal mazes; even if your state allows you to submit your own appeal and proposal, self-representation may not be the wisest option. An attorney can help you navigate the intricacies of your specific situation and help you find the best path forward.
Step 4: Make payments
Obtaining an expungement or pardon is a costly process. And despite all of the benefits an expungement provides, the fees may be too high for ex-offenders.
But there are two strategies for ex-offenders to make payments: indirectly, through employment and vocational training, or directly, through a loan.
For instance, the U.S. Job Corps offers vocational training opportunities to students aged 16 to 24. Students with a criminal record are eligible, so long as they:
Do not face current court dates or fines.
Do not exhibit behavior issues.
Do not use illegal drugs.
Depending on the current state of your credit, you may be able to take out an unsecured personal loan to pay for court fees. Private lenders tend to be wary about lending to ex-offenders, but they may still lend to you if you can prove your ability to repay.
Payday and secured loans (backed by collateral) may seem like a decent option. Be very cautious when considering either. Payday loans charge exorbitant interest rates that hover around 400 percent. And with secured loans, your personal property is at stake if you fail to repay.
Hypothetical case study: Expunging a misdemeanor DUI
To illustrate how expungement works, we offer a hypothetical case that parallels the real-life experiences of some ex-offenders.
Jessica, a California native, made a mistake when she was younger. She was caught driving under the influence and charged with a DUI. Though no one was hurt, Jessica was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor.
Nine years later, Jessica is raising a family in California. She’s never driven under the influence again. She’s paid all her fines and completed her probationary period without incident. But her arrest still remains on her record.
If Jessica wants to apply for another job, she’ll have a harder time doing so. Due to collateral consequences, she may also have difficulty volunteering at her children’s school. Her school requires a background check before accepting volunteers.
Fed up, Jessica decides to pursue expungement. She’s able and willing to pay court fees, but hiring an attorney might be a bit expensive. Jessica’s credit is good, so she’s able to take out a personal loan at a reasonable rate.
As soon as she’s able, Jessica submits the expungement application and pays all fees. The judge allows an expungement. Because her offense is expunged, Jessica is legally allowed to answer no when asked if she has committed an offense.
Wiping the slate clean takes time — but it’s worth it
Overcoming a past offense and clearing the slate may be a long, tedious process for some. And some aspects of our justice system are in desperate need of reform. But if you’re eligible, finding some degree of clemency is worth it.
By seeking expungement, you’ll enjoy larger incomes over the course of your career and wider access to federal services. This includes access to public funds, such as federal student loans and welfare, as well as the ability to vote. Financing a pardon or expungement can be complicated. But once you’ve done it, you’ll be back on the right track.
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