Record Sealing & Name Clearing
Clear Your Criminal Record with Ohio Expungement Attorneys
Restore Your Rights & Opportunities Through Record Sealing
At the Law Office of David A. Chicarelli Co., LPA, we help individuals across Warren, Montgomery, Butler, and Hamilton counties seal and expunge criminal records. Past arrests, dismissed charges, or old convictions can create lifelong barriers to employment, housing, professional licensing, and educational opportunities. Under Ohio's updated Senate Bill 288 laws, more individuals qualify for record clearing than ever before.
Our expungement and record clearing practice assists clients with:
- Misdemeanor & Felony Record Sealing: Filing motions to seal eligible misdemeanor and felony convictions.
- Expungement of Dismissed Charges & Acquittals: Completely erasing records of arrests that did not result in conviction.
- Pardon Application & Post-Conviction Relief: Navigating executive pardon proceedings for complex records.
- Restoration of Firearms & Civil Rights: Filing court applications to restore civil privileges following record closure.
What Do I Do To Clear My Criminal Record in Ohio?
Clearing your record requires structured legal motions in the court that handled your original case. Follow these steps to begin:
1. Verify SB 288 Waiting Periods & Eligibility
- Audit court dockets: Review certified records from municipal and common pleas courts.
- Confirm sentence completion: Ensure all probation, community service, and court restitution are 100% satisfied.
2. File Formal Petitions in the Original Court
- Draft precise motions: Prepare legal applications demonstrating post-conviction rehabilitation.
- Serve prosecutors: Provide statutory notice to prosecutor offices in Warren or Montgomery County.
3. Secure Legal Advocacy at Your Expungement Hearing
- Represent you before judges: Present persuasive oral arguments countering prosecutor objections.
- Restore your opportunities: The Law Office of David A. Chicarelli Co., LPA brings over 50 years of legal experience to clear your record.
Frequently Asked Questions About Record Sealing / Expungement in Ohio
What is the difference between record sealing and expungement in Ohio?
Record sealing hides your criminal record from public view, employer background checks, and housing screening, making it accessible only to law enforcement and select licensing boards. Expungement completely destroys the physical and electronic record so it ceases to exist legally.
How long do I have to wait to seal or expunge a conviction under SB 288?
Under Ohio SB 288, waiting periods after completing your sentence (including probation and restitution) are generally: 1 year for misdemeanors, 1 year for minor felonies (F4/F5), and 3 years for eligible higher-degree felonies (F3). Dismissed charges and acquittals can be sealed immediately.
Which criminal convictions cannot be sealed or expunged in Ohio?
Convictions that cannot be sealed under Ohio law include OVI/DUI offenses, driver's license suspensions, violent felonies (F1/F2), sex offenses subject to registration, offenses against children, and certain felony domestic violence convictions.
What happens at an expungement hearing in Ohio courts?
At the hearing, a judge reviews your application, verifies that waiting periods have passed, checks for pending criminal charges, evaluates prosecutor objections, and determines whether your interest in clearing your record outweighs the government's interest in maintaining it.