Everyone can make a mistake, especially young adults who may not appreciate the consequences of their actions when committing a crime in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, a Wisconsin criminal conviction can follow you around permanently, sometimes making it more difficult to find employment or seek higher education.
Under certain circumstances, the law provides youthful offenders with a way to erase a criminal conviction through the expungement process, also referred to as expunction. Although Wisconsin has strict laws regarding expungement of an adult criminal record, for those under the age of 25 when they commit a crime, there are some provisions under the law.
Sec. 973.015, Stats., states that “[W]hen a person is under the age of 25 at the time of the commission of an offense for which the person has been found guilty in a court for violation of a law for which the maximum period of imprisonment is 6 years or less, the court may order at the time of sentencing that the record be expunged upon successful completion of the sentence if the court determines the person will benefit and society will not be harmed by this disposition.”
Ideally, with the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, the expunction will be negotiated as part of a plea agreement making the defendant eligible for expungement at the time of sentencing. Whether this is the case, or if you are seeking expungement for the first time, it is important to work with an experienced attorney to ensure that your well-documented case is heard in the proper court.
Attorney Andrew C. Ladd has over 30 years of experience expunging criminal records in Wisconsin. Although it is not always possible to clear the slate of a criminal record, if you believe that your conviction or that of a loved one is eligible for expungement, contact our offices for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
If you or a family member has been arrested and charged with a crime in Wisconsin, or believe charges are imminent, our experienced juvenile and young adult criminal defense lawyers have earned an excellent reputation among judges and other legal professionals for our steadfast efforts to defend youthful offenders against charges of DWI, alcohol and drug possession, internet crimes, assault and more. We believe that making a mistake should not cost a young person their future and committed to your defense. Call us today for immediate assistance at 262-542-3900.
