Getting A Clean Criminal Record Through Expungement

Criminal records are, for the most part, public information in our country. They’re readily accessible online and through background checks. That means a criminal conviction or even arrest records can impact your life long after your sentence was completed and justice was served.  Expungement offers a way to erase certain criminal records so they will no longer impede your job prospects, professional licensure, educational opportunities, housing, ability to get a loan and other important opportunities.

Getting an expungement in Hawaiʻi can be a complicated process, however. At Harrison & Matsuoka, we can help you each step of the way. Our lead attorney in this area has more than 30 years of experience navigating the criminal justice system. We provide diligent and thorough representation for clients across Hawaiʻi seeking expungements – as well as those who live on the mainland but are seeking to expunge a Hawaiʻi criminal record.

The Basics Of Expungement In Hawaiʻi And The Importance Of A Thorough Approach

Expungement in Hawaiʻi involves sealing criminal records, making them inaccessible to the public (and shielded from background checks). Not all criminal records are eligible for expungement. Those that may be eligible include:

• • Arrests that didn’t result in a conviction
  • First-time drug offenses
  • DUI convictions for drivers under 21 at the time
  • Certain first-time theft offenses
  • Prostitution

If your records are eligible, there are two steps to securing an expungement:

• Sealing arrest records
• Sealing court records

Unfortunately, too many lawyers don’t pay attention to these details and will expunge only court records, leaving arrest records intact. We take a thorough approach to ensuring that all eligible records are completely sealed.

Put The Past Behind You

We understand the significant impact a criminal record can have on your life. We care about your reputation, employment and opportunities. Let our attorney help you pursue an expungement to put the past behind you.

For a free consultation, call our Honolulu office at 808-501-0408 or reach out online.