As of November 1st, more than 300 new laws have gone into effect in Oklahoma. One of these laws, HB 1799, positively affects juvenile records and their eligibility for expunction.
With HB 1799, juvenile records may be erased if they meet certain requirements. These requirements are as follows: 1. The juvenile has reached 18 or 19 years of age (it used to be 21), 2. The juvenile has not been arrested since the offense and there are no outstanding charges against them at the time of petitioning for expunction, and 3. All court fees and fines have been completed.
This bill essentially fixes the process for juvenile expunctions to make it easier for defendants to escape the stigma and limitations of a criminal record. Young offenders are more likely to stick to a clean path if they don’t have the burden of a criminal record following them everywhere they go. We all know that it’s difficult to get out of the criminal justice system once you’re in it, so it makes sense for the state to do as much as they possibly can to give these young people more opportunities to succeed. No one should start adulthood under unfair circumstances.
The widely supported bill is now in effect, and the state is encouraging people to expunge records of closed cases so that they’re more equipped to find jobs, housing, etc.
When your records have been expunged, it’s as if the offense never occurred. If you’re desperate to rid your record of an arrest, charge, or conviction, we can help. Reach out to Easy Expunctions to see if your case is eligible for a quick and affordable expunction. There’s no time like the present to start thinking about your future!