Many business professionals who are unfamiliar with legal terminology have heard the word “expunge” before, but don’t necessarily know what it means. To help explain this concept better, it is important to look at the definition and the implications of expunging records.
What Does Expunge Mean?
The legal definition of expungement is the removal of information or records from official records. This means that legally, any record or arrest can be deleted as if it never existed. Expungement is used for a variety of reasons, especially in criminal cases, but can also be used for non-criminal matters such as employment records.
What Types of Records Can Be Expunged?
In the United States, the type of record that can be expunged varies from state to state, and even between particular agencies. Generally, though, expungement applies to criminal records, juvenile records, court records, police records, and any other records that may exist of an individual’s past non-criminal activities.
What Is the Impact of Expungement?
The process of expunging a record can have a powerful and positive impact on one’s life. Legally, expungement means that a person’s record is cleared from existence – and any negative stigma associated with that record is removed. This can clear the way for many opportunities, including employment, loan eligibility, housing, and more.
Conclusion:
Understanding what expungement is and what impact it can have is critical for business professionals. Every decision we make is a balancing act between risk and reward, and understanding how expungement can influence those decisions can help us make the right choices.