In the state of Washington, vacating a judgment is generally equated to expungement. However, they are ultimately connected to each other as a part of clearing a criminal record. Unlike other states, a charge cannot be immediately removed from a criminal record until it is vacated first, as Washington does not permit expungement for standing convictions. Instead, a vacated judgment modifies the verdict of that charge.
Contact the Seattle DUI lawyers of Cowan Kirk by calling 1-866-822-1230 today to learn more about your legal options for vacating a judgment or expunging a charge.
Benefits of Vacating a Judgment
The requirements for vacating a judgment are similar to filing for expungement in other states. This legal option is not generally permitted within a certain number of years of a person's criminal sentence. Additionally, there may not be any ongoing criminal proceedings if a person wants to vacate his or her judgment. If they qualify for a vacated judgment, the following benefits may apply:
- A reversal of a guilty verdict
- A reversal that is retroactive
- That person is not considered to have committed that crime for employment purposes
- No one outside of law enforcement agencies can release vacated judgments
In addition to vacating, a person may then expunge his or her record. As vacating a judgment changes the verdict to not guilty, an expungement then allows that individual to remove the record of being charged with the crime.
Contact Us
Having a DUI conviction on your record can be extremely detrimental when it comes to reaching your professional goals. Although some employers may be more open to hiring employees with criminal records, others are not as understanding. For more information regarding your legal options for removing criminal charges from your record and repairing your reputation, contact the Seattle DUI attorneys of Cowan Kirk today at 1-866-822-1230.
