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CostHelper > Personal Finance  > Legal > Expungement

Expungement Cost

How Much Does Expungement Cost?
 
low costLow: Starts Around $400-$1,000high costHigh: Can Run $1,000-$4,000+
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A criminal record can hurt your eligibility for student loans or housing assistance, and can bar you from some types of professional licenses or certificates. Expungement[1] is the process of asking the court to destroy a specific record.

Typical costs:

  • Hiring an attorney to handle an expungement starts around $400-$1,000 for a single criminal charge but can run $1,000-$4,000 or more depending on the number and nature (misdemeanor or felony) of the charges, prevailing local legal rates and the status and experience of the attorney. Court costs and filing fees can add another $100-$400 or more, depending on location and how much other paperwork or research is needed.
  • It's possible to handle the expungement process yourself, but it's important to be sure every phase is completed correctly.
Related articles: DUI Attorney, Drug Defense Attorney, Felony Defense Attorney

What should be included:
  • Expungement[2] is intended to help people (particularly those who were not convicted or successfully completed probation) who have made past mistakes but are now law-abiding; the goal is to help them keep their life on track by freeing them from the burden of a criminal record. Generally, expungement destroys the records, while officially "sealing" them makes them inaccessible (they don't show up on a routine background check) except in specific circumstances. FindLaw, a service of Thomson Reuters, provides a state-by-state guide to the expungement process[3] .
  • Typically you will need to obtain a copy of your record where you were arrested and charged, to see exactly what is listed. You then file a formal petition for expungement of each specific charge. ClevelandHeightsCourt.com provides an explanation of the expungement process[4] ; remember that the details will vary in other jurisdictions.
Discounts:
  • If you can't afford an attorney, call the Legal Aid office[5] in the area where you were convicted to see if you are eligible for free or reduced-rate legal help. Some, but not all, legal aid offices provide help with expungements, according to Western Michigan Legal Services[6]
Shopping for expungement:
  • When first contacting a lawyer, try to have as many details about your situation as possible. Be sure you understand whether the attorney charges a flat fee no matter how much time is involved, or an hourly fee that could mount up if the case becomes complicated. The State Bar of Georgia provides a pamphlet on how to choose a lawyer.
  • The American Bar Association links to lawyer referral services by state[7] . You can also search for attorneys through the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Network's Lawyer Locator[8] .
  • Your attorney should provide you with a written fee agreement. Be sure you understand what is covered, and any other fees and expenses you might have to pay.
post Post   Comments (19)
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Class B Felony, Transportation of Marijuana
Amount: $3,500.00 Total
Posted by: Gary Price in Lakeview, OR.Posted: June 7th, 2018 05:06PM
Firm: Howen Law firm
I was caught with a couple lbs of Marijuana on May 10th, 2010 in Lakeview Oregon. I was cited to appear in court. I came back and was sentenced to 2 years supervised probation and 698 hours of community service, plus drug counseling. After completing everything for the courts without any infractions I paid Ronald Howen 1,500.oo to have my case expunged. He did as he promised and this is no longer a part of my record. My case in Oregon was transfered over to Utah as I was traveling through when I got caught. Glad it's behind me....
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Felony
Amount: $0.00 Total
Posted by: Jordan p in Orlando, FL.Posted: May 13th, 2018 06:05PM
Firm: None
Got felony record over 20 years ago I’ve been trying to get my gun rights back got all rights back but gun back so now I’m trying to get record expunged I applied for gun rights ten years ago still reviewing it don’t know how long it takes to review it but that’s a long time for a review so I’m trying this
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Theft
Amount: $200.00 Total
Posted by: Veronica Davis in Houston, TX.Posted: April 23rd, 2018 09:04PM
Firm: Misdemeanor C
Shop lifting from Walmart over 10 years ago,only offense, need off record..
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Criminal mischief
Amount: $0.00 Total
Posted by: Valencia a Andrews in Winter Haven, FL.Posted: January 29th, 2018 08:01AM
Convicted of criminal mischief misdemeanor in 2012 how do I get it off
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Theft of property
Amount: $0.00 Total
Posted by: Regina Schaeffer in Memphis, TN.Posted: July 29th, 2017 06:07AM
Firm: None
This happened when I was 19 I'm now 24 and I need it off my record like ASAP to get permanent at my job.
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Shoplifting from JCPenny
Amount: $500.00 Total
Posted by: Samus in Munster, IN.Posted: August 29th, 2016 10:08PM
Firm: Amanda Hires
Almost 2 years ago I was a big dummy and tried stealing from JCPenny, after a year I was told I could get it expunged. Best price I could find was the flat rate of 500 from here and they let you pay monthly
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Bogus check
Amount: $329.00 Total
Posted by: How did this happen? in Muskogee, OK.Posted: April 11th, 2016 07:04PM
Firm: None
I wrote a check that bounced due to former friend giving me a check for $600 she owe me (she stopped pmt and didn't tell me. My name was in newspaper is how I found out I had warrant for felony bogus check. I went to DA immediately. A FELONY! Paid all $$$ and court fees 11 yrs ago. Over $300 made it a felony. Attorney wants $2000 to get expunged in OK.
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Felonious Assault
Amount: $622.00 Total
Posted by: Tamarian Jones in Saginaw, MI.Posted: March 17th, 2016 07:03AM
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Misdemeanor
Amount: $0.00 Total
Posted by: Lavon Johnson in Marietta, GA.Posted: February 26th, 2016 10:02AM
I have a misdemeanor for simple battery. How do I get it off?
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Class B Misdemeanor Theft
Amount: $0.00 Total
Posted by: Nina Gutierrez in Houston, TX.Posted: December 2nd, 2015 10:12PM
Firm: NA
On 1/22/2010 I was arrested for shoplifting $96 in clothing from Walmart a month after I turned 18. 4/21/2010 I plead no contest and received time served for 3 days and a $500 fine. It has been over 5yrs and I still have trouble getting the type of employment I would like due to this conviction. Does anyone know a good lawyer who can get this expunged?
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Felony Possession
Amount: $2,200.00 Total
Posted by: Dumb Ass X Junkie in New albany, KY.Posted: December 2nd, 2015 07:12PM
Firm: Todd Smart Esq.
The process was slow and expensive, but effective.I am Magent my case was different because it involve the restoration of civil rights
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shoplifting at Walmart
Amount: $0.00 Total
Posted by: L.Smith in Phenix City, AL.Posted: June 22nd, 2015 07:06AM
Firm: none yet
First time offense. Need help getting it off record.
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Possession of marijuana
Amount: $35.00 Total
Posted by: Seymour in Baltimore, MD.Posted: June 21st, 2015 11:06AM
Firm: Court house
About 6 month it was expunged got a full pardon first July 2 2013
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it was quick and easy
Amount: $35.00 Total
Posted by: Helen F in baltimore, MD.Posted: February 23rd, 2015 08:02AM
Firm: myself
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DUI Expungement
Amount: $25.00 Total
Posted by: S. Smith in Visalia, CA.Posted: July 13th, 2013 05:07AM
Firm: none
I had 3 DUIs. I had completed all the DUI schooling and paid for it, all my fines were paid and I was no longer on probation. I called each Court's Clerk and asked about forms to have my cases expunged. (I kept ALL my paperwork from these DUIs). The Clerks sent me the information I needed. I completed the forms, and sent them back to the Courts. Only one Court made me
appear in person. One Court charged me $25.00 for the paperwork. I received the official expungement papers in the mail from each Court. You do NOT need an expensive attorney for a DUI expungement.
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Expungement
Amount: $1,000.00 Total
Posted by: Paralegal in houston, TX.Posted: July 24th, 2012 11:07AM
Are all of you sure you got an expungement, what you paid does not even cover the filing fee. You may want to check your record via web or local police department.
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shoplifting/ misdemennor marijuana charge
Amount: $250.00 Total
Posted by: Big Dummy in louisville, KY.Posted: June 16th, 2012 07:06PM
Did I spend too much?
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Theft
Amount: $35.00 Total
Posted by: Kelly Hill in Clinton, .Posted: September 23rd, 2011 07:09AM
Wow thats crazy! An expungement in Maryland is only $35
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DWI
Amount: $1,000.00 Total
Posted by: Terrance Smith in Laurinburg, NC.Posted: April 8th, 2010 03:04PM
Firm: dee
Need help been 7 years and have obtain my degree and looking for employment and need record expungement.
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External Resources:
  1.  apps.americanbar.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/faq_legalterms.cfm
  2.  epic.org/privacy/expungement/
  3.  criminal.findlaw.com/expungement/expungement-and-criminal-records-state-specific-inform...
  4.  www.clevelandheightscourt.com/PDF/Expungement.pdf
  5.  apps.americanbar.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/home.cfm
  6.  www.sado.org/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fcdn%2fexpungement2003.pdf
  7.  apps.americanbar.org/legalservices/lris/directory/
  8.  www.martindale.com/Find-Lawyers-and-Law-Firms.aspx
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