Criminal convictions can cause problems for many individuals. It can cost them a job or deny them an apartment. Friends and family may look you up on Maryland Judiciary Case Search and see embarassing charges that occurred many years ago. It may affect your credit. The good news is that many convictions can now be expunged and the waiting period to do so is shorter than ever.

There are too many convictions eligible for expungement to list them all here. They include second degree assault, theft, burglary, possession of CDS, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, and malicious destruction of property. The waiting period for most misdemeanors is five years from the end of parole or probation. There are longer waiting periods for felonies. You also cannot have any pending charges and cannot have any subsequent charges during the waiting period that are not also eligible for expungement.

Every year on October 1st the expungement laws change and more charges are added to the eligibility list. Thus, a charge now ineligible could become eligible later this year. If a subsequent charge is blocking a charge otherwise eligible for expungement, it may become eligible allowing both charges to be expunged.

There is a $30.00 filing fee to get a conviction expunged. You can do it yourself or hire an attorney to assist for a nominal fee. It is well worth the expense to keep your record clear.