No one wants to be judged exclusively by their worst moment but those with minor indiscretions may have their deeds live on in infamy. What if you could make that embarrassing criminal record disappear? Clearing your record, also known as expungement, might do just that but there some limits on how it works. Read on to find out more.

What to Keep in Mind About the Process

You may not be able to totally wipe all charges off your record. You will, however, have an easier time of it if you were arrested but never convicted of a crime. In almost all cases, a lack of a guilty verdict will mean you can erase the tell-tale signs of an arrest. That means that when you have to undergo a background check for a job or other reasons, the arrest is not going to show up. Unfortunately, though, an expungement does not erase the record of the arrest completely.

Terms You Should Know

Officers of the Court – This term applies to judges, attorneys, prosecutors, etc., and they all have the ability to look beyond the public record and view everything about your arrest. Not only can officers of the court view your records, but they may use what they see to negatively influence matters should you ever get arrested again.

Internet Mugshots – You may have viewed some of the many mugshot websites that post photos and arrest information about some unfortunate citizens. These websites have come under a lot of pressure and have been the target of personal injury suits. Unfortunately, if your mugshot makes it to one of these sites, there is not much you can do about it. Anyone who googles your name anytime in the near future will probably be able to view your photo. This is one time when you may be judged as guilty before you've had a chance to clear your name.

High-Level Checks – Even if you get your record cleared, some government and other sensitive jobs may require the type of background check that will reveal your arrest.

How to Clear Your Record

Speak to a criminal defense lawyer about clearing your name. In many cases, you'll need to let some time pass before you can ask for the expungement. It's not unusual for the waiting period to be two or more years. Also, the more serious the crime the less likely you will be successful. To find out more about clearing your record, speak to a criminal lawyer.