If I completed a deferred sentence 5 years ago, how do I get that sealed?
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If I completed a deferred sentence 5 years ago, how do I get that sealed?
I am currently going to school abut had a run in with the law 5 years ago when living in another state. I successfully completed the deferred sentence before moving but I wish to have the courts seal my record so that I can take a teaching job when I finish school. I’m a college student with no monetary help from my family and I’m broke so I can’t afford high lawyer fees. What should I do?
Asked on May 22, 2012 under Criminal Law, South Dakota
Answers:
Kevin Bessant / Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
A deferred sentence typically means that upon a successful completion of all of the courts conditions of deferment, the case will be dismissed. Adult criminal records are generally not sealed, but open to the public, which in your case, the record would show that you were charged with an offense but that the criminal case was dismissed. You may want to consider having a criminal expungement performed that will wipe clean the entire criminal record assuming you are eligible for it in your state. In this case, the criminal offense should never appear in any public background checks if successfully expunged.
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