Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you help people who don't live in Missouri?
We don't care where you live, but we can only handle cases that arose because of an arrest in Missouri.
2. Can you help people who were arrested in another state (or country)?
We only handle cases that arose because of an arrest in Missouri.
3. Does a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) automatically come off criminal history records?
This is a very common misconception. Sometimes defense attorneys, prosecutors and even judges get it wrong -- other times people hear something that's a little different than what they were actually promised. Under Missouri law a criminal case where the judge suspends imposition of sentence (SIS) becomes a closed record when any probation terminates. A case with a suspended execution of sentence (SES) will always be an open record. Neither one is ever erased from the state's criminal records -- but fewer people have access to closed records. Your case will be much more complicated, but if you plead guilty because someone made you a promise like this we might be able to help.
4. Do municipal court convictions prevent expungement?
The conviction in a municipal court of an ordinance violation is not a misdemeanor or a felony, and should not prevent the expungement of any arrest. If the municipal judge suspended imposition of sentence in the case of the arrest you want expunged, we may have difficulties.
5. Do criminal convictions prevent expungements?
The prohibition of expungements if a person has been convicted of any other criminal offense was repealed in 2021.
6. Does being arrested affect my right to vote?
Legally, being arrested never keeps you from voting. Once a judge finds you guilty you might not be allowed to vote (or hold office) -- but ordinarily (in Missouri) your voting rights are automatically restored at the conclusion of any sentence, including probation or parole. Visit this link for more information.
7. What are "caution codes?"
Caution codes are police short-hand that indicates an arrest record for (1) assaults, (2) assaults on police or resisting arrest, or (3) weapons violations. They are never supposed to be used outside of law enforcement. If an arrest is expunged any related caution code is eliminated.
8. How much does an expungement cost?
We believe in flat fees, but some cases are more complicated than others. Our fee for an ordinary expungement case is $750. That does not include court filing fees or surcharges, or out of pocket expenses like fingerprinting. If we have to file your case in a courthouse more than 50 miles from Interstate 70 there is an additional $100 fee; more than 100 miles from Interstate 70 is an additional $200 fee. We will tell you exactly what we are going to charge you -- and we expect you to pay us -- before we do any work on your case. Under Missouri law the costs and expenses of other parties can be assessed against you -- but this is rare in expungement cases. Be a wise consumer -- compare our promises, prices and experience with other attorneys!
9. What can go wrong?
Generally, going wrong means one of two things: (1) the local judge denies your expungement or (2) you win but the state appeals. If we think your local judge was wrong we'll tell you; if you want to appeal it will cost at least $1,500. If you win but the state appeals, we will not charge you for the additional work we have to do. Under Missouri law the costs and expenses of other parties can be assessed against you -- but this is rare in expungement cases. It is important to remember that we can't guarantee results.
10. What if I have a pending case?
We do not represent people in pending criminal cases.
11. Can other types of records -- divorce records, administrative findings, or school records -- be expunged?
The expungement rights discussed on this web site are created under Missouri law. We would be glad to discuss particular cases with you, but any case of that sort will be complicated.
12. Are you a specialist?
No. Neither the Supreme Court of Missouri nor The Missouri Bar reviews or approves certifying organizations or specialist designations.
13. Do I need a lawyer for an expungement?
You can always represent yourself in Missouri courts -- but you probably don't want to. I knew what was wrong when my appendix had to be taken out -- but my surgeon was worth every penny!
We don't care where you live, but we can only handle cases that arose because of an arrest in Missouri.
2. Can you help people who were arrested in another state (or country)?
We only handle cases that arose because of an arrest in Missouri.
3. Does a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) automatically come off criminal history records?
This is a very common misconception. Sometimes defense attorneys, prosecutors and even judges get it wrong -- other times people hear something that's a little different than what they were actually promised. Under Missouri law a criminal case where the judge suspends imposition of sentence (SIS) becomes a closed record when any probation terminates. A case with a suspended execution of sentence (SES) will always be an open record. Neither one is ever erased from the state's criminal records -- but fewer people have access to closed records. Your case will be much more complicated, but if you plead guilty because someone made you a promise like this we might be able to help.
4. Do municipal court convictions prevent expungement?
The conviction in a municipal court of an ordinance violation is not a misdemeanor or a felony, and should not prevent the expungement of any arrest. If the municipal judge suspended imposition of sentence in the case of the arrest you want expunged, we may have difficulties.
5. Do criminal convictions prevent expungements?
The prohibition of expungements if a person has been convicted of any other criminal offense was repealed in 2021.
6. Does being arrested affect my right to vote?
Legally, being arrested never keeps you from voting. Once a judge finds you guilty you might not be allowed to vote (or hold office) -- but ordinarily (in Missouri) your voting rights are automatically restored at the conclusion of any sentence, including probation or parole. Visit this link for more information.
7. What are "caution codes?"
Caution codes are police short-hand that indicates an arrest record for (1) assaults, (2) assaults on police or resisting arrest, or (3) weapons violations. They are never supposed to be used outside of law enforcement. If an arrest is expunged any related caution code is eliminated.
8. How much does an expungement cost?
We believe in flat fees, but some cases are more complicated than others. Our fee for an ordinary expungement case is $750. That does not include court filing fees or surcharges, or out of pocket expenses like fingerprinting. If we have to file your case in a courthouse more than 50 miles from Interstate 70 there is an additional $100 fee; more than 100 miles from Interstate 70 is an additional $200 fee. We will tell you exactly what we are going to charge you -- and we expect you to pay us -- before we do any work on your case. Under Missouri law the costs and expenses of other parties can be assessed against you -- but this is rare in expungement cases. Be a wise consumer -- compare our promises, prices and experience with other attorneys!
9. What can go wrong?
Generally, going wrong means one of two things: (1) the local judge denies your expungement or (2) you win but the state appeals. If we think your local judge was wrong we'll tell you; if you want to appeal it will cost at least $1,500. If you win but the state appeals, we will not charge you for the additional work we have to do. Under Missouri law the costs and expenses of other parties can be assessed against you -- but this is rare in expungement cases. It is important to remember that we can't guarantee results.
10. What if I have a pending case?
We do not represent people in pending criminal cases.
11. Can other types of records -- divorce records, administrative findings, or school records -- be expunged?
The expungement rights discussed on this web site are created under Missouri law. We would be glad to discuss particular cases with you, but any case of that sort will be complicated.
12. Are you a specialist?
No. Neither the Supreme Court of Missouri nor The Missouri Bar reviews or approves certifying organizations or specialist designations.
13. Do I need a lawyer for an expungement?
You can always represent yourself in Missouri courts -- but you probably don't want to. I knew what was wrong when my appendix had to be taken out -- but my surgeon was worth every penny!