991c Deferred Sentence Expungement in Oklahoma

Expungement generally means clearing, or sealing, a public or private record of someone’s criminal charges or arrest records. There are a number of ways that people can petition to have arrest records, or other criminal charges, sealed from public view so that they can go forward in their lives with a “clean slate.”

However, it is important to understand that expungement is not always a fix-all. Not all expungements in Oklahoma are the same, and depending on which expungement you are referring to, it is possible for the public record of your criminal charges to be sealed, but there can still an arrest record lingering which will need to be cleared up before you can be completely free of any past criminal arrests or charges.

What is 991c Deferred Sentence Expungement?

A deferred sentence is a sentence where the Court withholds a finding of guilt in order to allow one to successfully serve a period of probation. If one can serve this term of probation without incident, the sentence is usually dismissed at the end of the successful probationary period, and the public record is “expunged”, or sealed, so that the public cannot view it.

Under 991c, it is possible to remove the charges and the guilty plea off the public record once the probation has been served. However, this is not a complete solution that allows someone the freedom of a full expungement, as there will still be an arrest record with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). In many instances, the record of an arrest can be as damaging as a conviction on your record, even if you were not convicted on the matter. It takes a separate proceeding in order to seal an arrest record with the OSBI.

Why Does an Attorney Matter?

A 991c deferred sentence is a good outcome in many situations. However, it is not always a fix-all, and it may not be the best course of action for your particular charge. Bruce Edge understands this and can discuss the details with you, based on your particular case. He and his team are ready to tackle whatever challenges your case may present and work toward the best solution so you can move on with your life.

Contact the Edge Law Firm today to schedule a free review of your case.

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