Clear Your Criminal Record with Experienced Expungement Attorneys in Eugene, Oregon

A criminal record shouldn’t define your future. Whether it’s an old conviction, a dismissed charge, or an arrest that never led to prosecution, having a criminal history can create barriers to employment, housing, and professional opportunities. At the Law Office of Mike Arnold, our experienced Eugene expungement attorneys help individuals across Oregon clear their records and move forward with a clean slate.

Our firm is known for handling high-stakes and high-profile criminal defense cases. Still, we also specialize in criminal record expungements, helping clients remove past mistakes from their records quickly and efficiently. With Oregon’s eCourt filing system, we can expunge records statewide—without needing you to travel or pay additional fees for out-of-town representation.

Expungement eligibility in Oregon depends on several factors, including the type of charge, how much time has passed, and your overall criminal history. In most cases, you may qualify to have your record set aside if you have a single conviction, a Class C felony or misdemeanor, provided at least three years have passed since the conviction. 

If you have multiple convictions, the waiting period extends to ten years. If your case was dismissed or resulted in an arrest without charges, you can immediately petition for expungement. While many charges can be removed, certain offenses—including sex crimes like sex abuse and driving-related crimes such as reckless driving and DUII—are ineligible for expungement. However, some serious charges, including Coercion, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Assault IV, and Sexual Harassment, may qualify.

Clearing your record involves multiple legal steps, including filing the correct forms, paying court fees, and submitting fingerprint records. The expungement cost varies based on the number of cases being set aside, but our legal team ensures that every detail is handled correctly to give you the best chance of success. Your past doesn’t have to define your future.

Contact the Law Office of Mike Arnold in Lane County today for a free intake call or a paid consultation to discuss your expungement options and take the first step toward a clean record.

How Can I Expunge My Oregon Criminal Record?

Expungement, also called expunction under Oregon law, is the legal process of erasing a criminal arrest or conviction from your record, making it as if the offense never happened. Once granted, the court seals the entire case file, and all police agencies involved must destroy their records related to the arrest or conviction. This can provide significant relief by removing barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities.

There are four main scenarios in which someone may qualify for expungement in Oregon:

• • Arrest Without Charges or Conviction – If you were arrested but never charged or convicted, you must wait one year before petitioning the court for expungement.
  • Dismissed Charges or Not Guilty Verdict – If charges were filed but later dismissed by the prosecutor or court or found not guilty, you can file for expungement immediately with no waiting period.
  • Charges Filed Without an Arrest – If you were never arrested but were charged and later acquitted or had the case dismissed, you can also file for expungement immediately without a waiting period.
  • Conviction Expungement – If you were convicted of a crime after an arrest and formal charges, you must wait three years to apply for expungement if it was a single conviction. If you have more than one conviction or multiple counts within a case, the waiting period extends to ten years before eligibility.

Expunging a criminal record can open new doors and give you a fresh start, but navigating the process requires precise legal filing and timing. Contact the Law Office of Mike Arnold today for a free intake call or a paid consultation to discuss your expungement eligibility and take the first step toward clearing your record.

Can I Expunge My Criminal Record In Oregon?

EXAMPLES:

• The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of a Class A misdemeanor and two years have passed.  YOU CANNOT EXPUNGE THIS…YET.
• The defendant was found guilty in a jury trial of assault in the fourth degree (misdemeanor), and three years have passed. YOU CAN EXPUNGE THIS.
• The defendant pleaded guilty to both disorderly conduct and Assault IV; four years passed. YOU CAN EXPUNGE THIS.
• The defendant was convicted of Assault II, and eleven years have passed. There is no expulsion. This is not a Class C felony.
• The defendant was convicted of Sex Abuse (Class C Felony). NO EXPUNGEMENT IS AVAILABLE. But you may qualify for a Motion to Reduce to a Misdemeanor and Relief from Sex Offender Registration.
• The defendant was convicted of reckless driving years ago. NO EXPUNGEMENT (driving crime).

The Importance of Fingerprints in the Oregon Expungement Process

A fingerprint card is a required part of your expungement petition in Oregon and must be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office along with the Motion to Set Aside. The fingerprint card serves as an official identification tool to ensure that the correct criminal record is being expunged.

Where to Get a Fingerprint Card in Oregon

You can obtain your fingerprint card from the sheriff’s office in your county, such as the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. 

Be aware that:

• You must pay a fee for fingerprinting services, which varies by county.
• Many sheriff’s offices require an appointment, so check with the specific location before going.

Once you have your fingerprint card, send it to our attorney immediately. We will include it in the expungement petition packet served on the District Attorney’s Office in the county where the arrest or conviction occurred. The DA’s office will use this information to review and determine whether it objects to the expungement request.

How Long Does the Oregon Expungement Process Take?

Expungements in Oregon are not immediate and require patience.

• Once your expungement petition is filed, the District Attorney’s Office has up to six months to complete its investigation and respond.
• If the DA does not object or the court rules in your favor, a judge will sign an order to seal your record.
• After the court grants the expungement, all official government records of the arrest and conviction must be sealed and removed from public access.

Why Might a Sealed Record Still Appear on Background Checks?

Even after a judge grants your expungement, your old conviction may still appear on some background checks, especially those conducted by private companies.

• • Many private background check companies pull data from old public records and may not update their systems regularly.
  • If your expunged record still appears in a background check, you may need to contact the reporting company directly to request removal.
  • Some employers use third-party agencies that do not immediately reflect court record updates, so it may take additional time before your record is completely erased from all systems.

Take Action to Clear Your Oregon Criminal Record – Call the Law Office of Mike Arnold for Help

Expunging your criminal record is a decisive step toward restoring your reputation, securing better opportunities, and moving forward without the weight of a past conviction or arrest. Because the expungement process requires careful legal preparation and can take months, starting as soon as possible is essential.

At the Law Office of Mike Arnold, we handle expungements with precision and efficiency, offering flat fees for standard one-case expungements and customized pricing for more complex cases. If a contested hearing is required, additional fees may apply.

Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in your expungement outcome. If you’re ready to take control of your future and work with a dedicated, aggressive, and results-driven team, call 541-359-4585 to schedule a free intake call or a paid attorney consultation.

Our team is available after hours, on weekends, and for expedited legal assistance to ensure you get the immediate guidance you need. Don’t let your past define you—contact our trusted Eugene expungement attorneys today