By Attorney Raven Beach
If you’re struggling to obtain gainful employment or suitable housing, you might benefit from having your criminal record expunged. Expungement is the removal of a conviction from a person’s criminal record. Petitions are filed with the circuit court and are granted in the discretion of the judge. Prior to 2021, Alabama residents were able to have their records expunged, but only under limited circumstances. In general, under the old law, a charge for a non-violent/non sex offense crime could be expunged if: dismissed, after successful competition of deferred prosecution program, or if the charges were no-billed. A no bill means that a grand jury found that there was not enough evidence to prosecute a person charged with a crime.
The Redeemer Act (Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment and Eliminate Recidivism Act) was passed in 2021. The Act expanded the prior law to include some instances where the petitioner is actually convicted of a crime. For example, persons convicted of the following misdemeanor offenses could potentially be eligible to have their records expunged: unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana, 1 st or 2 nd degree, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, third-degree theft ($500-$1500), fourth degree theft (less than $500), receiving stolen property, and public intoxication. Unfortunately, the Redeemer Act excludes felony convictions. Before a felony conviction can be expunged, a person must be granted a pardon by the governor.
People interested in speaking one on one with an attorney regarding having their records expunged are encouraged to attend a FREE Expungement/Voting Rights Restoration clinic. After assisting one client with an expungement, the following correspondence was received. “I received a letter today stating that my expungement had been granted. I am elated! Thank you for all your help. This would not have been possible without your guidance. Thank you again for your sacrifice!”
Quarterly expungement clinics are hosted by Beach Law Practice, in partnership with ANVOO and Lift Our Vote. The clinics are held at the District 6 Community Office located at 3210 Hi-Lo Circle. The remaining dates for 2025: June 16, September 15, and December 15 from 5pm-7pm.
CONTACT INFO.
Raven Perry-Beach, Esq.
120 Holmes Avenue, NE
Suite B100
Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 799-0292
* Licensed in Alabama, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and DC
NO CLIENT RELATIONSHIP: Communication with an attorney does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship or constitute the provision or receipt of legal advice. Any communication from this office should be considered informational only, and should not be relied or acted upon until a formal attorney-client relationship is established by written agreement.