Kansas Expungements: Clearing Your Criminal Record and Starting Fresh

 

If you’ve been arrested or convicted of a crime in Kansas, you know how much a criminal record can affect your life. From difficulty finding a job to problems with housing applications or securing loans, a past mistake can follow you for years. Fortunately, Kansas law allows many individuals to expunge their criminal records—giving them the second chance they deserve.

At Robinson Law Firm, (through our expungement-focused website expungekansasrecord.com) we help clients throughout Riley County, Wabaunsee County, Shawnee County, Pottawatomie County, Dickinson County, and all other Kansas counties navigate the expungement process and move forward with a clean slate.

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What Is an Expungement in Kansas?

An expungement is a legal process that seals your criminal record from public view. Once your record is expunged, it is no longer accessible to most employers, landlords, and members of the public. While certain government agencies and law enforcement may still access the record in limited circumstances, an expungement can greatly reduce the barriers caused by a prior conviction or arrest.

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Benefits of a Kansas Expungement

Clearing your record can have life-changing results. Some of the biggest benefits include:

• Better employment opportunities – Most employers run background checks, and an expungement can remove a past conviction from consideration.

• Access to housing – Landlords are far less likely to deny applications when your record is clean.

• Peace of mind – You no longer have to worry about old mistakes resurfacing during background checks.

• Improved reputation – An expungement gives you the ability to legally state that you have not been convicted of that offense in most circumstances.

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Kansas Expungement Waiting Periods: 3 or 5 Years

Not every conviction or arrest can be expunged immediately. Kansas law sets waiting periods that must pass before you can file for an expungement:

• 3-Year Waiting Period: Many misdemeanors and certain felonies are eligible for expungement three years after completing your sentence, probation, or diversion agreement.

• 5-Year Waiting Period: More serious offenses typically require a five-year waiting period before you can apply for expungement.

Certain crimes, such as serious violent felonies or sex offenses, may not be eligible for expungement. The rules can vary depending on your case, which is why speaking with an experienced Kansas expungement attorney is crucial.

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Expungement Services in Riley, Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Pottawatomie, and Dickinson Counties

While Kansas expungement laws are statewide, every county court—including Riley, Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Pottawatomie, and Dickinson counties—handles expungement filings locally. We are experienced in working with courts across the state and understand the unique requirements of each jurisdiction.

No matter where you live in Kansas, we can guide you through the process and help you take the next step toward a fresh start.

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Start Your Expungement Process Today

If you’re ready to leave your criminal record in the past, we’re here to help. Our firm has successfully helped clients across Kansas—from Riley County to Shawnee County and beyond—obtain expungements and reclaim their future.

Contact us today for a consultation and find out if you qualify for an expungement. Your second chance starts here.

Kansas Expungements - Criminal Record

It's a new year which is a time to start fresh.  A criminal record is something that can haunt you for the rest of your life. It can interfere with housing applications, employment, gun rights, and your general reputation.  Kansas is one of a few states with very generous expungement rules allowing you to expunge almost any misdemeanor and also expunge a wide range of felonies. 

If you're curious about your criminal record or want to know your criminal history, you can make a request from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, or if you know the specific court where your convictions occurred, you may be able to request those record directly from the clerk. 

Do I need a lawyer?

When you're trying to get a criminal record expunged, you want it done right and done as quickly as possible.  An experienced expungement attorney is the most secure and reliable way to make sure it's done quickly and done the right way. It also can prevent missteps that delay your expungement and can avoid issues that might prevent your expungement from being granted.  If you don't reside in Kansas it can also help you complete your expungement without having to come back to the state.

Do I need to come back to Kansas for my expungement?

No, you do not need to return to Kansas to expunge your Kansas criminal records.  Your attorney can file the required paperwork, obtain your signature on the appropriate materials, and file everything without you being present.  That being said, sometimes the Court or the prosecuting attorney for the state will ask that a hearing be held on your expungement request.  An experienced attorney will work hard to avoid this if at all possible. This hassle can add significant cost, travel expense, and missed work to complete your expungement.  If a hearing is requested then you will be required to appear before the court to support your expungement request.   This is a time when having an expungement attorney in your corner will really benefit you.

What does this cost?

There is a fee to file your expungement in most courts. In Kansas District Courts the fee as of this writing is $195.00.  Often that cost is rolled into your costs for hiring an attorney.  Many attorneys can cost thousands of dollars for the service of a criminal record expungement.  That's too much.  It's best to shop around. Find an experienced Kansas expungement attorney that can service your expungement for a flat fee.  Find someone who serves all 105 Kansas Counties who can clear your Kansas criminal record quickly and efficiently. 

Salina Kansas Expungements

In Salina there are two courts that hear the prosecution of criminal matters. The Salina Municipal Court and the Saline County District Court.  Both of those courts offer expungement options as required by Kansas expungement statutes. Costs to file an expungement in Saline County District Court is $195.00.  In the Salina Municipal Court there is a $75.00 filing fee. The type and age of your conviction will dictate whether or not your conviction is eligible for expungement.

When you are looking to have a record expunged it's important to know some of the ways an expungement can become complicated.  A hearing is sometimes required which requires your return to the jurisdiction or court where you were convicted.  It's possible you could have to take the stand and testify as to why the expungement should be granted.  When you're looking to clear your record it's important to do it right the first time as a denied expungement could effect the ease with which the matter is resolved in the future. 

To make sure your expungement is done right the first time contact a knowledgeable Kansas Expungement Attorney who can take care of the matter and help avoid your return to the Salina Municipal Court or Saline County District Court. We strive to obtain speedy, discrete, favorable resolution to your expungement for a reasonable flat fee. 

Country Stampede, 2018

Country Stampede 2018 has come and gone and left some in its wake with criminal allegations. The majority of those allegations will arise from the Pottawatomie County District Court, but much also could arise in the Riley County District Court.  DUI charges, MIP charges, MIC charges, batteries, and many other alcohol related offense get charged over this weekend.  There also is an increase in Marijuana and other illegal drug charges. 

If you received a DUI, it can result in the suspension of your driving privileges, regardless of what state you're from.  DUI defendants typically receive a DC-27 form which is the form the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles will use to begin the procedure to suspend your driver's license.  If you received one of these forms you have a limited time to send in a letter and payment for a hearing to be held before your license can be suspended. A qualified DUI defense attorney can complete this process for you but it is important to engage an attorney early enough that the deadline to file has not passed.

For MIP and MIC charges at Country Stampede, the vast majority will arise in Pottawatomie County District Court, which is located in Westmoreland, Kansas - about 30 minutes drive to the Northeast from the Country Stampede festival grounds. They hand out these charges with great frequency during the festivities and making the return to Kansas for those out of town can add to the already burdensome event of getting a citation.  Contacting an attorney that serves the Pottawatomie County area can sometimes avoid the necessity of coming back and can otherwise smooth a complicated process.

Divorce and Child Custody Lawyer

With the addition of Jeff Adam to The Robinson Firm LLC the Manhattan, KS law firm is now composed of two attorney's and more than 20 years combined legal experience.  Focusing primarily on Family Law, Divorce, and Child Custody Jeff's move to Manhattan from Salina has increased the services we are able to offer and the range of clients we can serve.

When you're looking for a family law attorney you want competent, experienced representation from someone familiar with the local bar.  As someone who has practiced in multiple counties including Riley County, Junction City and Geary County, Dickinson County, Pottawatomie County, and Saline County, Jeff is prepared to provide aggressive representation for your domestic matter.

Jeff also has extensive experience defending complex criminal defense matters and if your domestic litigation is tied to criminal allegations Jeff's experience is a perfect fit for your legal representation needs. 

If you need an attorney anywhere in North Central Kansas, contact the Manhattan, Kansas Attorneys at the Robinson Firm. We're here to help you navigate your legal issues with confidence and we're dedicated to achieving your best outcomes.

Kansas Expungements

Many people in Kansas are eligible for an expungement and don’t even know it. Kansas allows expungements for many convictions, as well as records of diversions and arrests where charges were dropped.  An expungement seals your criminal record, making it invisible to most prospective employers or anyone else performing a background check.  In most cases, the state is not permitted to disclose your prior arrest or conviction. Expungements allow you to withhold information about the expunged offense and state you were never arrested in situations like non-law enforcement jobs interviews and college applications.   What it does not do is dispose entirely of your criminal record.  Law enforcement officials still have access to records expunged in Kansas in the event of an arrest for new crimes.When you obtain an expungement in Kansas, the FBI, KBI, and NCIC is notified and your convictions are then "expunged" or erased for most purposes within those particular databases.  

To find out if you're eligible for an expungement use this web-based questionnaire we developed or contact a Kansas criminal defense attorney with expungement experience.

TEXTING AND CELL PHONES IN KANSAS

In the State of Kansas, texting is illegal for all drivers of all ages and cell phone usage is banned for all learner permit and intermediate license holders.  Many cities in Kansas have adopted their own ordinances relating to cell phone usage.

            In the City of Manhattan cell phone usage is illegal in a motor vehicle, unless the cellphone is configured for hands-free use.  A misunderstanding about the texting law in Kansas is that drivers can still be ticketed for checking their cell phones or sending text messages while they're at a stoplight.

            Distracted driving is a common cause of accidents on Kansas roadways. If you cause an accident while using your cell phone in Kansas you can be held responsible if someone is hurt or killed.

            Injured in Manhattan, Kansas, Geary County, or Pottawatomie County?  Injured anywhere in North Central Kansas? Call and a personal injury  attorney in the area to provide aggressive prosecution of the person who hurt you.