New 2021 Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement Law - Felony Charges

  • By Jordan Copeland
  • •
  • 19 Jun, 2021

New 2021 Baldwin County Expungement Law 

New 2021 Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement Law
New 2021 Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement Law

The Alabama Legislature has recently passed a new Expungement Law applicable to Baldwin County and all other counties in Alabama. Governor Ivey signed the Bill (SB117) into law on April 25, 2021. Per the Bill, the law will become effective in Alabama on July 1st, 2021. The new Alabama Expungement Law for 2021 is referred to as the “Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment and Eliminate Recidivism (REDEEMER) Act. It is an expansion of the prior Alabama Expungement law.

 

2021 Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement Law Includes All Felony Non-Convictions  and Certain Felony Convictions

In this blog post our experienced, Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement Lawyer, Jordan M. Copeland will detail the sections of the expanded, 2021 Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement Law that specifically relates to felony cases. We will detail which Baldwin County, Alabama felony charges and convictions may now be eligible to petition for an expungement in the Circuit Court of Baldwin County, Alabama. We will also provide you with qualification and procedural changes in the new Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement Law for 2021.

First, felony case eligibility for expungement was expanded in Section 15-27-2 of the Code of Alabama with the 2021 Alabama Expungement Law applicable to Baldwin County. Subsection (a) which provides that any felony offense that resulted in a non-conviction may now be eligible for expungement (if other criteria of the expungement law is met). This is a substantial expansion from the prior Alabama Expungement law. Under the prior law, the only instance where a “violent” (per statutory definition) felony charge was eligible for expungement were cases where there was a finding of “not guilty” (meaning the case had to go to trial and a bench or jury verdict of “not guilty” was rendered).

 

All Felony Non-Convictions in Baldwin County, Alabama May Now be Eligible for Expungement

Now, under the 2021 Alabama Expungement Law, Section 15-27-2(a), in Baldwin County essentially any form of a non-conviction may make a violent or non-violent felony charge eligible for expungement. See: Section 15-27-2(a):

“A person who has been charged with any felony offense may file a petition in the criminal division of the circuit court in the county in which the charges were filed, to expunge records relating to the charge in any of the following circumstances:

"(1) When the charge is dismissed with prejudice and more than 90 days have passed.

"(2) When the charge has been no billed by a grand jury and more than 90 days have passed.

"(3) When the person has been found not guilty of the charge and more than 90 days have passed. "(4) When the charge has been nolle prossed without conditions, and more than 90 days have passed, and the charge or charges have not been refiled.

"(5) When the indictment has been quashed and the statute of limitations for refiling the charge or charges has expired or the prosecuting agency confirms that the charge or charges will not be refiled.

“(6) a. When the charge was dismissed after successful completion of a drug court program, mental health court program, diversion program, veteran's court, or any court-approved deferred prosecution program.

"b. Expungement may be a court-ordered condition of a program listed in paragraph a.

"c. A petition for expungement may be filed one year from the date of the successful completion of a program listed in paragraph a.

“(7) When the charge was dismissed without prejudice more than five years ago, has not been refiled, and the person has not been convicted of any other felony or misdemeanor crime, any violation, or any traffic violation, excluding minor traffic violations, during the previous five years. “(8) When the person proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the person is a victim of human trafficking, that the person committed the felony offense during the period the person was being trafficked, and that the person would not have committed the felony offense but for being trafficked. Evidence that a person is a victim of human trafficking may include, but is not limited to, evidence that the person's trafficker was convicted of trafficking the person under Section 13A-6-152 or Section 13A-6-153.” (emphasis added in bold).

            Therefore, under the 2021 Alabama Expungement Law if you have had a prior felony charge (any felony charge) in Baldwin County that resulted in some form of a non-conviction as listed above, that charge would now be eligible to retain our law firm to petition for an expungement with the Circuit Court of Baldwin County (when the applicable time periods stated above have passed). Our law firm has met with and spoken to many potential clients over the years that were previously not eligible to petition to expunge their prior violent felony charge because it was dismissed, nolle prossed, or no billed. Now those cases are eligible under the 2021 Alabama Expungement law.

 

Certain Felony Convictions in Baldwin County, Alabama that Meet Seven Factors May Now be Eligible for Expungement

            Next, another substantial expansion of eligible cases in the 2021 Alabama Expungement law for Baldwin County includes some types of felony convictions that have been fully pardoned by the Alabama Bureau (aka Board) of Pardons & Paroles (“ABPP”). See the relevant portion of the new law below:

"(c) A person who has been convicted of a felony offense may file a petition in the criminal division of the circuit court in the county in which the charges were filed to expunge records relating to the charge and the conviction if all of the following occur:

"(1) The person has been granted a certificate of pardon with restoration of civil and political rights for the conviction from the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

"(2) All civil and political rights that were forfeited as a result of the conviction have been restored. "

(3) One hundred eighty [180] days have passed from the date of the issuance of the certification of pardon.

"(4) Except as provided in subsection (b), the conviction is not a violent offense, as provided in Section 12-25-32.20

"(5) The conviction is not a sex offense, as provided in Section 15-20A-5.

"(6) The conviction is not an offense involving moral turpitude, as provided in Section 17-3-30.1. This subdivision does not apply if the crime the person was convicted of was classified as a felony at the time of the conviction, but has been reclassified as a misdemeanor, pursuant to Act 2015-185, and the person has not been arrested for any offense, excluding minor traffic violations, 15 years prior to the filing of the petition for expungement.

"(7) The conviction is not a serious traffic offense, as provided in Article 9 of Chapter 5A of Title 32.” Section 15-27-2(c), Code of Alabama.

 

            Our Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement Law Office has researched and cross-referenced the other statutory sections that are referenced in the above section relative to eligible felony convictions. In more detail below are the felony convictions that are now eligible for expungement in Baldwin County, Alabama. First, you must meet all seven (7) requirements quoted above for a felony conviction to be eligible for expungement.

 

Some Alabama Felony Convictions that were Fully Pardoned by the ABPP May Now Be Eligible for Expungement

Factors 1 and 2 (quoted above) under Section 15-27-2(c), Code of Alabama provide that you must first receive a full, unrestricted pardon with restoration of ALL political and civil rights from the ABPP. These rights include the right to vote, right to own/possession a firearm/ammunition, right to hold public office, and right to sit on a jury. If the ABPP has only granted you a “limited pardon” i.e., a pardon with a restriction on the restoration of your firearm rights, then you will need to first reapply after two years for another full pardon with the ABPP. Factor 3 under Section 15-27-2(c), Code of Alabama as quoted above provides that One Hundred Eighty (180) days must have passed from the issuance of your Certificate of Full Pardon.

 

Violent Felony Convictions in Baldwin County, Alabama that were Fully Pardoned are Not Eligible for Expungement

Factor 4, under Section 15-27-2(c), Code of Alabama, as quoted above, provides that your felony conviction must not be a “violent offense”, as provided in Section 12-25-32. The list of “violent offenses” according to Alabama Code Section 12-25-32 are the following:

“… VIOLENT OFFENSE. a. For the purposes of this article, a violent offense includes each of the following offenses, or any substantially similar offense to those listed in this subdivision created after June 20, 2003:

1. Capital murder pursuant to Sections 13A-6-2 and 13A-5-40.

2. Murder pursuant to Section 13A-6-2.

3. Manslaughter pursuant to Section 13A-6-3.

4. Criminally negligent homicide pursuant to Section 13A-6-4.

5. Assault I pursuant to Section 13A-6-20.

6. Assault II pursuant to Section 13A-6-21.

7. Compelling street gang membership pursuant to Section 13A-6-26.

8. Kidnapping I pursuant to Section 13A-6-43.

9. Kidnapping II pursuant to Section 13A-6-44.

10. Rape I pursuant to Section 13A-6-61.

11. Rape II pursuant to Section 13A-6-62.

12. Sodomy I pursuant to Section 13A-6-63.

13. Sodomy II pursuant to Section 13A-6-64.

14. Sexual torture pursuant to Section 13A-6-65.l.

15. Sexual abuse I pursuant to Section 13A-6-66.

16. Enticing a child to enter a vehicle for immoral purposes pursuant to Section 13A-6-69.

17. Stalking pursuant to Section 13A-6-90.

18. Aggravated stalking pursuant to Section 13A-6-91.

19. Soliciting a child by computer pursuant to Section 13A-6-110.

20. Domestic violence I pursuant to Section 13A-6-130.

21. Domestic violence II pursuant to Section 13A-6-131.

22. Burglary I pursuant to Section 13A-7-5.

23. Burglary II pursuant to Section 13A-7-6.

24. Burglary III pursuant to subdivision (1) or subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-7-7.

25. Arson I pursuant to Section 13A-7-41.

26. Criminal possession of explosives pursuant to Section 13A-7-44.

27. Extortion I pursuant to Section 13A-8-14.

28. Robbery I pursuant to Section 13A-8-41.

29. Robbery II pursuant to Section 13A-8-42.

30. Robbery III pursuant to Section 13A-8-43.

31. Pharmacy robbery pursuant to Section 13A-8-51.

32. Terrorist threats pursuant to Section 13A-10-15.

33. Escape I pursuant to Section 13A-10-31.

34. Promoting prison contraband I pursuant to Section 13A-10-36, involving a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.

35. Intimidating a witness pursuant to Section 13A-10-123.

36. Intimidating a juror pursuant to Section 13A-10-127.

37. Treason pursuant to Section 13A-11-2.

38. Discharging a weapon into an occupied building, dwelling, automobile, etc., pursuant to Section 13A-11-61.

39. Promoting prostitution I pursuant to Section 13A-12-111.

40. Production of obscene matter involving a minor pursuant to Section 13A-12-197.

41. Trafficking pursuant to Section 13A-12-231.

42. Child abuse pursuant to Section 26-15-3.

43. Elder abuse pursuant to Section 38-9-7.

44. Terrorism pursuant to Section 13A-10-152.

45. Hindering prosecution for terrorism pursuant to Section 13A-10-154.

46. Domestic violence III pursuant to subsection (d) of Section 13A-6-132.

47. Domestic violence by strangulation or suffocation pursuant to Section 13A-6-138.

48. Human trafficking I pursuant to Section 13A-6-152.

49. Human trafficking II pursuant to Section 13A-6-153.

50. Hindering prosecution in the first degree pursuant to Section 13A-10-43.

51. Any substantially similar offense for which an Alabama offender has been convicted under prior Alabama law or the law of any other state, the District of Columbia, the United States, or any of the territories of the United States.

b. The basis for defining these offenses as violent is that each offense meets at least one of the following criteria:1. Has as an element, the use, attempted use, or threatened use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument or physical force against the person of another.2. Involves a substantial risk of physical injury against the person of another.3. Is a nonconsensual sex offense.4. Is particularly reprehensible.

c. Any attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit a violent offense shall be considered a violent offense for the purposes of this article.

d. Any criminal offense which meets the criteria provided in paragraph b. enacted after 2003. “Ala. Code § 12-25-32 (1975)

Again, if your prior felony charge in Baldwin County, Alabama was a conviction and it is on the list above, then it is not eligible for expungement (even if it has been fully pardoned). (Except under subsection (b) there is a very limited exception for certain violent crimes committed by victims of human trafficking while being trafficked and proven by a preponderance of the evidence in court).

          

Baldwin County, Alabama Felony Sex Offense Convictions that were Fully Pardoned in Alabama are NOT Eligible for Expungement

Number 5, (still under the seven eligibility requirements for a felony conviction to be eligible for expungement under Section 15-27-2(c), Code of Alabama, as quoted above), the felony conviction may not be a “sex offense” in Alabama Code Section 15-20A-5 are not eligible for expungement. These charges include:

“(1) Rape in the first degree, as provided by Section 13A-6-61.

(2) Rape in the second degree, as provided by Section 13A-6-62. A juvenile sex offender adjudicated delinquent of a violation of rape in the second degree is presumed to be exempt from this chapter after the juvenile has been counseled on the dangers of the conduct for which he or she was adjudicated delinquent unless the sentencing court makes a determination that the juvenile sex offender is to be subject to this chapter.

(3) Sodomy in the first degree, as provided by Section 13A-6-63.

(4) Sodomy in the second degree, as provided by Section 13A-6-64. A juvenile sex offender adjudicated delinquent of a violation of sodomy in the second degree is presumed to be exempt from this chapter after the juvenile has been counseled on the dangers of the conduct for which he or she was adjudicated delinquent unless the sentencing court makes a determination that the juvenile sex offender is to be subject to this chapter.

(5) Sexual misconduct, as provided by Section 13A-6-65, provided that on a first conviction or adjudication the sex offender is only subject to registration and verification pursuant to this chapter. On a second or subsequent conviction or adjudication of a sex offense, if the second or subsequent conviction or adjudication does not arise out of the same set of facts and circumstances as the first conviction or adjudication of a sex offense, the sex offender shall comply with all requirements of this chapter. A juvenile sex offender adjudicated delinquent of a violation of sexual misconduct is presumed to be exempt from this chapter after the juvenile has been counseled on the dangers of the conduct for which he or she was adjudicated delinquent unless the sentencing court makes a determination that the juvenile sex offender is to be subject to this chapter.

(6) Sexual torture, as provided by Section 13A-6-65.1.

(7) Sexual abuse in the first degree, as provided by Section 13A-6-66.

(8) Sexual abuse in the second degree, as provided by Section 13A-6-67.

(9) Indecent exposure, as provided by Section 13A-6-68, provided that on a first conviction or adjudication of a sex offense, the sex offender is only subject to registration and verification pursuant to this chapter. On a second or subsequent conviction or adjudication of a sex offense, if the second or subsequent conviction or adjudication does not arise out of the same set of facts and circumstances as the first conviction or adjudication, the sex offender shall comply with all requirements of this chapter. A juvenile sex offender adjudicated of a violation of indecent exposure is presumed to be exempt from this chapter after the juvenile has been counseled on the dangers of the conduct for which he or she was adjudicated delinquent unless the sentencing court makes a determination that the juvenile sex offender is to be subject to this chapter.

(10) Enticing a child to enter a vehicle, room, house, office, or other place for immoral purposes, as provided by Section 13A-6-69.

(11) Sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old, as provided by Section 13A-6-69.1.

(12) Promoting prostitution in the first degree, as provided by Section 13A-12-111.

(13) Promoting prostitution in the second degree, as provided by Section 13A-12-112.

(14) Violation of the Alabama Child Pornography Act, as provided by Section 13A-12-191, 13A-12-192, 13A-12-196, or 13A-12-197. A juvenile sex offender adjudicated delinquent of a violation of the Alabama Child Pornography Act is presumed to be exempt from this chapter after the juvenile has been counseled on the dangers of the conduct for which he or she was adjudicated delinquent unless the sentencing court makes a determination that the juvenile sex offender is to be subject to this chapter.

(15) Unlawful imprisonment in the first degree, as provided by Section 13A-6-41, if the victim of the offense is a minor, and the record of adjudication or conviction reflects the intent of the unlawful imprisonment was to abuse the minor sexually.

(16) Unlawful imprisonment in the second degree, as provided by Section 13A-6-42, if the victim of the offense is a minor, and the record of adjudication or conviction reflects the intent of the unlawful imprisonment was to abuse the minor sexually.

(17) Kidnapping in the first degree, as provided by subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-6-43, if the intent of the abduction is to violate or abuse the victim sexually.

(18) Kidnapping of a minor, except by a parent, guardian, or custodian, as provided by Section 13A-6-43 or 13A-6-44.

(19) Incest, as provided by Section 13A-13-3.

(20) Transmitting obscene material to a child by computer, as provided by Section 13A-6-111.

(21) School employee engaging in a sex act or deviant sexual intercourse with a student, or having sexual contact or soliciting a sex act or sexual contact with a student, as provided by Sections 13A-6-81 and 13A-6-82.

(22) Foster parent engaging in a sex act, having sexual contact, or soliciting a sex act or sexual contact with a foster child, as provided by Section 13A-6-71.

(23) Facilitating solicitation of unlawful sexual conduct with a child, as provided by Section 13A-6-121.

(24) Electronic solicitation of a child, as provided by Section 13A-6-122.

(25) Facilitating the on-line solicitation of a child, as provided by Section 13A-6-123.

(26) Traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, as provided by Section 13A-6-124.

(27) Facilitating the travel of a child for an unlawful sex act, as provided by Section 13A-6-125.

(28) Human trafficking in the first degree, as provided by Section 13A-6-152, provided that the offense involves sexual servitude.

(29) Human trafficking in the second degree, as provided by Section 13A-6-153, provided that the offense involves sexual servitude.

(30) Custodial sexual misconduct, as provided by Section 14-11-31.

(31) Sexual extortion, as provided by Section 13A-6-241.

(32) Directing a child to engage in a sex act, as provided in Section 13A-6-243.

(33) Any offense which is the same as or equivalent to any offense set forth above as the same existed and was defined under the laws of this state existing at the time of such conviction, specifically including, but not limited to, crime against nature, as provided by Section 13-1-110; rape, as provided by Sections 13-1-130 and 13-1-131; carnal knowledge of a woman or girl, as provided by Sections 13-1-132 through 13-1-135, or attempting to do so, as provided by Section 13-1-136; indecent molestation of children, as defined and provided by Section 13-1-113; indecent exposure, as provided by Section 13-1-111; incest, as provided by Section 13-8-3; offenses relative to obscene prints and literature, as provided by Sections 13-7-160 through 13-7-175, inclusive; employing, harboring, procuring or using a girl over 10 and under 18 years of age for the purpose of prostitution or sexual intercourse, as provided by Section 13-7-1; seduction, as defined and provided by Section 13-1-112; a male person peeping into a room occupied by a female, as provided by Section 13-6-6; assault with intent to ravish, as provided by Section 13-1-46; and soliciting a child by computer, as provided by Section 13A-6-110.

(34) Any solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit any of the offenses listed in subdivisions (1) to (33), inclusive.

(35) Any crime committed in Alabama or any other state, the District of Columbia, any United States territory, or a federal, military, Indian, or foreign country jurisdiction which, if it had been committed in this state under the current provisions of law, would constitute an offense listed in subdivisions (1) to (34), inclusive.

(36) Any offense specified by Title I of the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-248, the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA)).

(37) Any crime committed in another state, the District of Columbia, any United States territory, or a federal, military, Indian, or foreign country jurisdiction if that jurisdiction also requires that anyone convicted of that crime register as a sex offender in that jurisdiction.

(38) Any offender determined in any jurisdiction to be a sex offender shall be considered a sex offender in this state.

(39) The foregoing notwithstanding, any crime committed in any jurisdiction which         irrespective of the specific description or statutory elements thereof, is in any way characterized or known as rape, carnal knowledge, sodomy, sexual assault, sexual battery, criminal sexual conduct, criminal sexual contact, sexual abuse, continuous sexual abuse, sexual torture, solicitation of a child, enticing or luring a child, child pornography, lewd and lascivious conduct, taking indecent liberties with a child, molestation of a child, criminal sexual misconduct, video voyeurism, or there has been a finding of sexual motivation.

(40) Any crime not listed in this section wherein the underlying felony is an element of the offense and listed in subdivisions (1) to (39), inclusive.

(41) Any other offense not provided for in this section wherein there is a finding of sexual motivation as provided by Section 15-20A-6.”

Ala. Code § 15-20A-5 (1975)

            Again, the above list consists of “sex offenses” under Alabama law and convictions of these offenses are not eligible for expungement in Baldwin or any other county under the 2021 Alabama Expungement law.


Baldwin County, Alabama Felony Convictions for Crimes “Involving Moral Turpitude in Section 17-3-30.1” that have been Fully Pardoned are NOT Eligible for Expungement (with a few exceptions below)

 Next, Number 6, as quoted above under Section 15-27-2(c), Code of Alabama, convictions of felonies “involving moral turpitude as provided in Section 17-3-30.1.” in Baldwin or any county in Alabama are not eligible for expungement (even if it has been fully pardoned). The following are the crimes “involving moral turpitude” in Section 17-3-30.1:

“(c) … (1) Murder as defined in the following sections: a. Subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.b. Subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.c. Subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.d. Subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.e. Subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.f. Subdivision (6) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.g. Subdivision (7) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.h. Subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.i. Subdivision (9) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.j. Subdivision (10) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.k. Subdivision (11) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.l. Subdivision (12) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.m. Subdivision (13) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.n. Subdivision (14) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.o. Subdivision (15) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.p. Subdivision (16) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.q. Subdivision (17) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.r. Subdivision (18) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.s. Subdivision (19) of subsection (a) of Section 13A-5-40.t. Section 13A-6-2.

(2) Manslaughter as defined in Section 13A-6-3.

(3) Assault as defined in Section 13A-6-20 [Assault, 1st Degree], except for subdivision (5) of subsection (a)[Assault, 1st Degree causing serious physical injury with a motor vehicle while intoxicated] of Section 13A-6-20, and Section 13A-6-21[Assault, 2nd Degree].

(4) Kidnapping in the first degree as defined in Section 13A-6-43.

(5) Kidnapping in the second degree as defined in Section 13A-6-44.

(6) Rape as defined in Sections 13A-6-61[Rape, 1st Degree] and 13A-6-62[Rape, 2nd Degree].

(7) Sodomy as defined in Sections 13A-6-63 and 13A-6-64.

(8) Sexual torture as defined in Section 13A-6-65.1.

(9) Sexual abuse as defined in Sections 13A-6-66, 13A-6-67, and 13A-6-69.1.

(10) Enticing a child to enter a vehicle for immoral purposes as defined in Section 13A-6-69.

(11) Facilitating solicitation of unlawful sexual conduct with a child as defined in Section 13A-6-121.

(12) Electronic solicitation of a child as defined in Section 13A-6-122.

(13) Facilitating the on-line solicitation of a child as defined in Section 13A-6-123.

(14) Traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act as defined in Section 13A-6-124.

(15) Facilitating the travel of a child for an unlawful sex act as defined in Section 13A-6-125.

(16) Human trafficking as defined in Sections 13A-6-152 and 13A-6-153.

(17) Terrorism as defined in Section 13A-10-152.

(18) Soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism as defined in Section 13A-10-153.

(19) Hindering prosecution of terrorism as defined in Section 13A-10-154.

(20) Endangering the water supply as defined in Section 13A-10-171.

(21) Possession, manufacture, transport, or distribution of a destructive device or bacteriological or biological weapon as defined in Section 13A-10-193.

(22) Selling, furnishing, giving away, delivering, or distribution of a destructive device, a bacteriological weapon, or biological weapon to a person who is less than 21 years of age as defined in Section 13A-10-194.

(23) Possession, manufacture, transport, or distribution of a detonator, explosive, poison, or hoax device as defined in Section 13A-10-195.

(24) Possession or distribution of a hoax device represented as a destructive device or weapon as defined in subsection (c) of Section 13A-10-196.

(25) Attempt to commit an explosives or destructive device or bacteriological or biological weapons crime as defined in Section 13A-10-197.

(26) Conspiracy to commit an explosives or destructive device or bacteriological or biological weapons crime as defined in Section 13A-10-198.

(27) Hindrance or obstruction during detection, disarming, or destruction of a destructive device or weapon as defined in Section 13A-10-199.

(28) Possession or distribution of a destructive device or weapon intended to cause injury or destruction as defined in Section 13A-10-200.

(29) Treason as defined in Section 13A-11-2.

(30) Dissemination or public display of obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts as defined in Section 13A-12-191.

(31) Possession and possession with intent to disseminate obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts as defined in Section 13A-12-192.

(32) Parents or guardians permitting children to engage in production of obscene matter as defined in Section 13A-12-196.

(33) Production of obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts as defined in Section 13A-12-197.

(34) Distribution, possession with intent to distribute, production of obscene material, or offer or agreement to distribute or produce, as defined in Section 13A-12-200.2.

(35) Trafficking in cannabis, cocaine, or other illegal drugs or trafficking in amphetamine and methamphetamine as defined in Section 13A-12-231.

(36) Bigamy as defined in Section 13A-13-1.

(37) Incest as defined in Section 13A-13-3.

(38) Torture or other willful maltreatment of a child under the age of 18 as defined in Section 26-15-3.

(39) Aggravated child abuse as defined in Section 26-15-3.1.

(40) Prohibited acts in the offer, sale, or purchase of securities as defined in Section 8-6-17.

(41) Burglary as defined in Sections 13A-7-5 [Burglary, 1st Degree] and [Burglary, 2nd Degree] 13A-7-6.

(42) Aggravated theft by deception as defined in Section 13A-8-2.1.

(43) Theft of property as defined in Sections 13A-8-3 and 13A-8-4.

(44) Theft of lost property as defined in Sections 13A-8-7 and 13A-8-8.

(45) Theft of trademarks or trade secrets as defined in Section 13A-8-10.4.

(46) Robbery as defined in Sections 13A-8-41, 13A-8-42, and 13A-8-43.

(47) Forgery as defined in Sections 13A-9-2 and 13A-9-3.

(48) Any crime as defined by the laws of the United States or by the laws of another state, territory, country, or other jurisdiction, which, if committed in this state, would constitute one of the offenses listed in this subsection.

Exception: Baldwin County, Alabama Felony Convictions for Crimes Reclassified as Misdemeanors under Act 2015-185 and that have Granted Full Pardons by the ABPP May Be Eligible to Petition for Expungement

However, the Number 6 exclusion (Section 15-27-2(c), Code of Alabama as quoted above) “… does not apply if the crime the person was convicted of was classified as a felony at the time of the conviction, but has been reclassified as a misdemeanor, pursuant to Act 2015-185, and the person has not been arrested for any offense, excluding minor traffic violations, 15 years prior to the filing of the petition for expungement.” Section 15-27-1(c)(6). Accordingly: Act 2015-185, SB67, amended the following relevant crimes under Alabama law that were previously felonies in Alabama and were reclassified as misdemeanors:  

Section 13A-8-5  Theft of property in the fourth degree. Class A Misdemeanor

Section 13A-8-9  Theft of lost property in the fourth degree. Class A Misdemeanor

Section 13A-8-10.3  Theft of services in the fourth degree. Class A Misdemeanor

Section 13A-8-19  Receiving stolen property in the fourth degree. Class A Misdemeanor

Section 13A-9-4  Forgery in the fourth degree. Class A Misdemeanor

Section 13A-9-7  Criminal possession of forged instrument in the fourth degree. Class A Misdemeanor

Prior to Act 2015-185, the above charges were classified as “Third Degree” Class C Felony charges. Therefore if prior to Act 2015-185 becoming law you were charged and convicted of any of the above crimes in the “Third Degree” as a felony, that charge may now be eligible to petition for an expungement in Baldwin County under the 2021 Alabama Expungement Law, if the other criterion of this statute is met (the person has not been arrested for any offense, excluding minor traffic violations, 15 years prior to the filing of the petition for expungement).


Baldwin County, Alabama Felony Convictions of “Serious Traffic Offenses” that were Fully Pardoned are NOT Eligible for Expungement 

Next, under Number 7 of Alabama Code Section 15-27-2(c) above in the new 2021 Alabama Expungement Law - convictions of felonies in Baldwin County that are classified as “serious traffic offense”, as provided in Article 9 of Chapter 5A of Title 32 of the Code of Alabama, are not eligible for expungement. The following are “serious traffic offenses” under Alabama law:

Section 32-5A-190 - Reckless driving

Section 32-5A-190.1 - Homicide by vehicle

Section 32-5A-191 - Driving while under influence of alcohol, controlled substances, etc.

            Therefore, if you were previously convicted of a felony in Baldwin County, Alabama and you meet all seven (7) conditions of Section 15-27-2(c) as quoted and detailed above, your felony conviction may be eligible to retain our law firm to represent you in the petition for expungement process, if you meet the other statutory requirements.


Limitations on the Number of Baldwin County, Alabama Expungements for Felony Convictions that Meet All Criteria 

Another eligibility change in the 2021 Alabama Expungement law places limitations on the number of certain types of felony cases that may be expunged in Baldwin and all counties in Alabama. Sections 15-27-2.1 and 15-27-21 are added to the Code of Alabama 1975, to read, in part, as follows:

“§15-27-2.1. (a) … (2) A person may only be granted one expungement pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 15-27-2.” This means that a person convicted of a felony offense that meets all the criteria under 15-27-2(c) may only be granted an expungement of one felony conviction.


Limitations on the Number of Baldwin County, Alabama Expungements for Felony Charges Dismissed After Completion of any Court-Approved Deferred Prosecution Program 

Further, “(3) A person may only be granted two expungements pursuant to … subdivision (a)(6) of Section 18 15-27-2.” This means that a person may only have two felony charges expunged that were dismissed after successful completion of a drug court program, mental health court program, diversion program, veteran's court, or any court-approved deferred prosecution program.

 

Multiple Charges from the same Arrest / Incident in Baldwin County, Alabama Count as Only One Expungement

However, very important is “(b) For the purposes of subsection (a), one expungement shall include all charges or convictions stemming from the same arrest or incident.” See: §15-27-2.1(b). Therefore, if a person has multiple charges from the same arrest / incident in Baldwin County then all charges count as only one expungement. (emphasis added in bold)

 

Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement Petition Court Administrative Filing Fees are $500 per Arrest / Incident

Additionally, the statutory administrative court filing fees for filing a petition for Expungement have increased from $300 per petition/charge to $500 per petition/charge. However, under the 2021 Alabama Expungement law all charges from a single arrest or incident only require one administrative court filing fee of $500. See: 15-27-4(b)(1) Code of Alabama.

 

Baldwin County, Alabama Felony Charge / Conviction Expungement Eligibility Recap Under New 2021 Alabama Expungement Law

            If you have previously been charged with any felony in Baldwin County, Alabama that resulted in some form of a non-conviction (dismissed, nolle prossed, no billed, acquitted after a trial, etc.) your felony charge may now be eligible to retain our law office to Petition for an Expungement in the Circuit Court of Baldwin County, Alabama (if you meet the other statutory requirements).

Also, if you received a full, unrestricted pardon from the ABPP of a prior Baldwin County felony conviction that was not a “violent offense”, not a “sex offense”, not a “serious traffic offense”, and not a crime “involving moral turpitude as provided in Section 17-3-30.1.” then your prior Baldwin County felony conviction may be eligible to petition for an expungement in Baldwin County, Alabama if you meet the other statutory requirements. Also, if your prior Baldwin County felony conviction has been fully pardoned by the ABPP and it is a crime that has now been reclassified as a misdemeanor under Act 2015-185, it may be eligible to petition for an expungement in Baldwin County, if you meet the other statutory requirements.

            If your prior case was a Baldwin County, Alabama Misdemeanor Charge or Conviction, see our future blog post discussing in detail the Baldwin County Misdemeanor Expungement Eligibility Requirements under the New 2021 Alabama Expungement Law.

Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement Lawyer, Jordan M. Copeland and his law office have successfully obtained many Orders of Expungement in Baldwin County since Alabama passed the first version of the expungement law in 2014. We have a reputation for representing people that are Career Professionals and soon to be college graduates with Professional Career goals to help clear their prior criminal records from criminal background reports via an expungement. We have successfully obtained expungement orders for many Medical, Legal, Real Estate, and other Professionals from across the country that had a prior arrest in Baldwin County. We now look forward to brining our Baldwin County Expungement experience to represent clients under the new, expanded Alabama Expungement Law.

Remember, it does not matter where you reside, if your prior arrest was in Baldwin County or in any city / municipality in Baldwin County, Alabama, then the proper jurisdiction to consider a Petition for Expungement in your case is the Circuit Court of Baldwin County. Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement Lawyer, Jordan M. Copeland formed a process for remote expungement representation for our out of state and out of area expungement clients years ago. All steps of our Baldwin County Expungement representation may be conducted remotely via: phone, email, and U.S. Mail. Your expungement representation process will not require a trip to our office. The only situation that would require you to appear in Baldwin County is if your petition for expungement is set for a hearing in the Circuit Court (this is rare, but possible under the law if the District Attorney objects in the first 45 days or the Court sets it for a hearing). 

If you believe your prior Baldwin County, Alabama Felony case meets the above New 2021 Alabama Expungement eligibility requirements, feel free to contact our law firm via email at: Jordan@OrangeBeachLawyer.com or via phone at: (251) 545-3637 to discuss potential representation or to schedule a consultation.  

Orange Beach, Alabama Expungements for Licensed Professionals

By Jordan Copeland • 13 Oct, 2023
Our law firm is experienced in representing Licensed Professionals that have been arrested in Orange Beach, Alabama (and Baldwin County) through the process of seeking an expungement. Since Alabama first passed an expungement law in 2014, our law Firm has successfully represented hundreds of Licensed Professionals from across the United States seeking to have a prior arrest record expunged in the State of Alabama.

If you are a Licensed Professional with a previous arrest in the Orange Beach, Alabama, we know negative career consequences can result. Our law Firm has successfully obtained expungements for Licensed Professionals in most every career field. Some of the positions considered to be Licensed Professionals include: Attorneys, Real Estate Agents and Brokers, Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), Engineers, Pharmacists, Registered Nurses (RNs), Medical Doctors (MDs), and Physician’s Assistants (PAs), Nurse Practitioners, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), amoung others.

Many Licensed Professionals and future Licensed Professionals are unaware that even if your prior criminal charge in Alabama was dismissed or did not result in a conviction, the record of your arrest will remain on your criminal background report unless it is removed via an Order of Expungement from the proper Court in Alabama.

As a Licensed Professional, even certain arrest records for violations and misdemeanors can have substantial negative impacts on licensing and career advancement. Our Orange Beach, Alabama Expungement Law Firm has successfully obtained expungements of prior Alabama arrests records for professionals in many types of drug and alcohol charges, including: Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Possession of Marijuana 1st and 2nd degree, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession/Use of Drug Paraphernalia, Public Intoxication, among other crimes. Our Orange Beach, Alabama Expungement lawyers have also obtained expungements for professionals previously arrest for many types of personal and property crimes in Alabama, including: Domestic Violence, 3rd degree, Harassment, Resisting Arrest, Theft of Property 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th degrees, Possession of a Forged Instrument, among many others.

The proper jurisdiction to petition to expunge eligible, prior Alabama arrest records is the Alabama Circuit Court of the county where the original charge was pending. No matter in what state you reside, Licensed Professionals previously arrested in Baldwin County, Alabama must petition to expunge said arrest in Baldwin County, Alabama to clear their criminal background the best as legally possible (if your case is eligible).

Expungements are the focus of our Orange Beach Alabama Expungement Lawyer, Jordan M. Copeland – clearing criminal records to the extent of Alabama law for his clients. If you are a Licensed Professional, no matter in what state you reside, if your prior arrest was in Orange Beach, Alabama or surrounding areas in Alabama, our Orange Beach, Alabama Expungement Law Firm can represent you remotely through the entire Petition for Expungement process without a visit to our law office.

Our Orange Beach, Alabama Expungement Lawyer’s goal is to have the Circuit Court grant your Petition for Expungement without the necessity of a court hearing. Although a hearing is possible, from our experience a vast majority of our cases are not set for a hearing because of no objection from the District Attorney’s office. In Alabama even if your case is eligible for an expungement, the District Attorney’s office has forty-five (45) days after the petition is served to file any objection with the Court. Therefore, our Orange Beach, Alabama Expungement Law Firm prepares custom petitions for expungement detailing the positive factors of each client giving the Court the detailed grounds for and reasons each client is seeking an expungement order from the Court. Our goal is to bolster you petition for expungement with our custom supporting packets for each petition.

If you are a Licensed Professional that has had a prior arrest in Orange Beach, Alabama, or surrounding areas, that record of arrest will remain on your criminal background report unless you are granted an Order of Expungement in Alabama. You need an experienced Orange Beach, Alabama Expungement Lawyer to represent you through the legal process. Many Licensed Professionals across the USA that were previously arrested in Orange Beach, Alabama have already trusted our law firm to represent them through the petition for expungement process in Alabama. No attorney can ethically guarantee a result in any representation. Our experience and results in petitions for expungement representation in Alabama speaks for itself.

Check out our Google Reviews on our Google Map Page titled “Orange Beach Criminal Defense Lawyer – J.M. Copeland”. For more information regarding your particular expungement eligibility, feel free to email us at: Jordan@OrangeBeachLawyer.com or call our office at: (251) 545-3637.

Arrested for Shoplifting at Walmart Self-Checkout in Gulf Shores, Alabama? 

By Jordan Copeland • 13 Apr, 2023

 Were you arrested for shoplifting at Walmart self-checkout in Gulf Shores, Alabama? If so, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer to defend you in the Gulf Shores Municipal Court. Shoplifting (Theft of Property, 4th degree) is a Class A misdemeanor in Alabama with potential jail time of up to 365 days if convicted.

 A shoplifting / theft of property, 4th degree charge from Walmart in Gulf Shores requires the City Prosecutor to prove the following:

“(a) A person commits the crime of theft of property if he or she: (1) Knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over the property of another, with intent to deprive the owner of his or her property ; [or] (2) Knowingly obtains by deception control over the property of another, with intent to deprive the owner of his or her property ; … “ (emphasis added) Section 13A-8-2 (Code of Ala.)

“(a) The theft of property which does not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) in value and which is not taken from the person of another constitutes theft of property in the fourth degree. (b) Theft of property in the fourth degree is a Class A misdemeanor.” Section 13A-8-5 (Cod of Ala.)

  Therefore, If you are charged with shoplifting from Walmart in Gulf Shores, you need an experienced Criminal Defense lawyer to represent you against the City of Gulf Shores. The Prosecutor must prove the element of intent: knowingly obtaining unauthorized control of the property, and intent to deprive the owner of property. The element of intent is decided by the Judge in Gulf Shores Municipal Court if there is a bench trial. If the case is appealed to the Circuit Court of Baldwin County for a jury trial, the jury will decide if you had intent based on the evidence presented at trial.

 Walmart in Gulf Shores is very aggressive in the prosecution of suspected shoplifting via the self-checkout kiosks. Self-Checkout kiosks at Walmart in Gulf Shores are monitored by cameras at each kiosk and some Walmart stores are now installing Artificial Intelligence (AI) anti-theft technology at self-checkout kiosks. Walmart in Gulf Shores also has “eye in the sky” 360 degree cameras in the ceiling throughout the store. These cameras are far away but can be controlled and zoom in close enough to read your text message on your phone screen.

 If you are suspected of shoplifting at a self-checkout at the Gulf Shores Walmart, a member of the Loss Prevention (aka Asset Recovery) team may approach you just before you leave the store. They will identify themselves and ask you to follow them with your cart of items into the security room that most people do not know about. The security room at the Gulf Shores Walmart will be recording audio/video of you. The loss prevention worker will likely attempt to get you to admit you were intentionally bagging items without scanning them or other methods of an alleged shoplifting they detect.

 Remember, Gulf Shores Walmart loss prevention (asset recovery) employees are NOT required legally to read you Miranda Rights before they question you because they are not law enforcement officers. Therefore, if you are in a situation where you are being accused of shoplifting from Gulf Shores Walmart by a loss prevention employee, know that everything is being recorded and your best response should usually be to remain silent, respectfully not answer any questions, and know that you are probably about to get arrested by the Gulf Shores Police Department. Even if you did not intentionally bag an item that did not scan, or that scanned wrong, etc., there is no need to give a statement or respond in any way. If you get arrested save your talking for your criminal defense lawyer you will consult with to discuss representatio

 Criminal defense lawyer, Jordan M. Copeland has represented many people charged with shoplifting from Walmart and other businesses in Gulf Shores. Experienced and result oriented criminal defense lawyer, Jordan M. Copeland, and his law office has defended people against shoplifting charges since 2007.

 If you are charged with shoplifting / theft of property, 4th degree from Walmart in the Gulf Shores Municipal Court and you retain our law office to represent you, we can go to work filing the proper Motions to Produce Evidence and Subpoenas via the Court necessary to obtain all the audio/video evidence in your case. We can review all this discovery evidence before your court date to build the best defense and leverage your position with the Prosecutor and Judge. Our goal (not guarantee, no lawyer can ethically make a guarantee as to results of a case) is to keep you out of jail and for your case to result in a non-conviction. Our experience and results speak for themselves.

 Law Offices of Jordan M. Copeland located in Foley also represent clients in Petitions for Expungement of prior shoplifting / theft of property, 4th degree cases from Walmart in Gulf Shores and throughout Baldwin County. Many people are unaware of the following fact: If you were previously charged with shoplifting / theft of property, 4th degree from Walmart in Gulf Shores, even if the case resulted in a non-conviction (dismissed, nolle prossed, not guilty after trial, etc.) you will still have the record of the arrest for shoplifting on you criminal background reports with the state, FBI, and non-government background reports unless you are granted an Order of Expungement from the Circuit Court of Baldwin County.

 If you were previously charged shoplifting / theft of property 4th degree at Walmart in Gulf Shores and your case was “nolle prossed” or “dismissed with prejudice” (as Ordered on the final Case Action Summary) you can be eligible to Petition for Expungement of the arrest records after 90 days from the final Order from the Judge. If the case was “dismissed” you must wait a year from the date of dismissal before it is eligible to Petition for Expungement.

 If you were convicted (pled guilty or found guilty after a trial) of shoplifting / theft of property, 4th degree from Walmart in Gulf Shores, you must wait three (3) years before your case can be eligible to petition or an Expungement of the conviction.

 For more information and possible representation in defense of a shoplifting / theft of property, 4th degree charge from Walmart in Gulf Shores, contact the Criminal Defense Law Office of Jordan M. Copeland at (251) 545-3637 or Jordan@OrangeBeachLawyer.com. Also, feel free to contact our law office if you had a prior shoplifting / theft of property, 4th degree charge from Walmart in Gulf Shores and you are interested to determine if you are eligible to retain our law office to represent you in the petition for expungement process to clear your criminal record.

A Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement Clears a Criminal Background Report

By Jordan Copeland • 15 Feb, 2023

Will an expungement in Baldwin County, Alabama clear a criminal background report? We are often asked that question by potential expungement clients and the answer is generally "yes". A Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement clears a criminal background report. After the Circuit Court of Baldwin County, Alabama issues an Order of Expungement the process of the record of arrest / conviction being cleared from the client’s State of Alabama and Federal Criminal Background Reports begins. (See §15-27-6 and §15-27-7 Ala. Code , 1975)

Baldwin County Expungement of Records from State of Alabama (ALEA) and FBI Criminal Background Reports

All criminal justice agencies with records of the arrest / conviction that were ordered expunged and are subject to the Alabama expungement statute should receive a copy of the Order of Expungement (sent by the Circuit Clerk). Then they will have 180 days to certify to the Court that the required expungement action has been completed. (See: §15-27-6 Ala. Code , 1975) The following language or similar language will generally be contained in an Order of Expungement issued by Circuit Courts in Alabama:

“… ORDERED that any other Agency or Official having custody of records pertaining to the above-listed Charge and Case No. shall EXPUNGE, by collecting and sending said records to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), all records, including law enforcement records* , in the custody of the named Agency, Official, or Law Enforcement Officer pertaining to the above-listed Charge and Case No. ________ … It is Further Ordered that all proceedings related to the above listed charges are DEEMED NEVER TO HAVE OCCURRED. VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER IS PUNISHABLE UNDER ALABAMA LAW. “AN INDIVIDUAL WHO KNOWS AN EXPUNGEMENT ORDER WAS GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER [§ 15-27] AND WHO INTENTIONALLY AND MALICIOUSLY DIVULGES, MAKES KNOWN, REVEALS, GIVES ACCESS TO, MAKES PUBLIC, USES, OR OTHERWISE DISCLOSES THE CONTENTS OF AN EXPUNGED FILE WITHOUT A COURT ORDER, OR PURSUANT TO A PROVISION OF THIS CHAPTER, SHALL BE GUILTY OF A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR.” Ala. Code § 15-27-16(a) (1975). *Including Alabama law enforcement records except privileged presentence or post-sentence investigation reports produced by the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles and its officers, records, documents, databases, and files of the district attorney and the Office of Prosecution Services. Ala. Code § 15-27-6(a) (1975).” (See: State of Alabama Unified Judicial System Form CR-65D Rev. 4/2015)

For purposes of the Alabama expungement law, a “… RECORD… The term shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:

a.  Arrest and conviction records.

b.  Booking or arrest photographs of the petitioner.

c.  Index references such as the State Judicial Information System or any other governmental index references for public records search.

d.  Records relating to administrative suspension pursuant to Article 14 of Chapter 5A of Title 32, including driver license suspension records.

e.  Other data, whether in documentary or electronic form, relating to the arrest, charge, or conviction.” Ala. Code § 15-27-9 (1975)

Additionally, for purposes of the Alabama expungement law, § 15-27-9(1) “CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES” are defined in Section 41-9-590 as “… Federal, state, local, and tribal public agencies that perform substantial activities or planning for activities relating to the identification, apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, or rehabilitation of civil, traffic, and criminal offenders.

In practice, our law firm’s experience in Baldwin County, Alabama expungement case procedure post-expungement order, the following generally happens: in a few weeks to a few months (but up to 180 days) the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) will mail a letter to the client informing them, in substance, that the record(s) of the arrest and/or conviction that was ordered expunged has now been removed from the client’s State of Alabama Criminal Background Report and from the client’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Criminal Records Repository. A Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement clears a criminal background report.

The result of this removal of records is a clear ALEA and FBI background report, in relation to the arrest and/or conviction that was expunged. Thereafter, if the client’s criminal history report is requested from ALEA (State of Alabama) or the FBI, the report will be clear and not reflect any indication the client was ever arrested, charged, and/or convicted in relation to the expunged case. If the client has had no other arrests / convictions, the client’s criminal report shall simply show in substance “Arrests: – None”. A Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement clears a criminal background report.

Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement of Records from Private Criminal Database Companies.

Is the record of the client’s arrest / conviction removed from non-government Criminal Background Reports (Private Criminal Database Companies)? Our Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement law firm is often asked this question and the answer is generally, “Yes, when the private criminal database company either updates its records or is put on notice of the expungement order.” There are hundreds if not thousands of private criminal database companies that provide criminal history reports on individuals.

Unfortunately, some of these companies are more reputable than others resulting in many not updating records frequently. These companies provide many employers with backgrounds checks on potential employees during the job interview process. Federal law governs these companies because they provide “consumer reports” – a non-government, private company providing criminal history reports for a fee.

However, Federal law currently does not mandate a minimum frequency of how often these companies must update their records. Reputable private criminal database companies may update their records very frequently, whereas less reputable companies may go a year or more without updating their records. Updating their records would include the company requesting any changes to the person’s criminal record from the court clerk and/or government (state/federal) criminal databases – ALEA / FBI.

Remember, after an order of expungement is issued in Baldwin County, Alabama, the clerk of court and other agencies that previously had record of the charge that has since been expunged will respond that “no record exists” to requests for a case file that has been expunged (unless the request is from certain government agencies as provided in Alabama’s expungement statutes). Further, ALEA and FBI criminal reports will not reflect any record that the person was ever arrested / charged after the expungement order has been processed. Therefore, the private criminal database companies that request updates should then remove the record from their database at that point as well.

Putting these private criminal database companies on notice of the expungement order is the fastest way to get the record removed with these companies. If our Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement law firm represents you in successfully obtaining an order of expungement we can provide you with the resources that will put about 400 of the major private criminal database companies on actual notice of the expungement order resulting in them removing the record quickly. The reputable private criminal database companies are generally more than happy to remove an expunged record from their database when a copy of the order of expungement is provided to them.

If you need a clear criminal background report from a prior charge or misdemeanor conviction in Baldwin County, Alabama that is eligible for expungement, contact Baldwin County, Alabama Expungement Lawyer, Jordan M. Copeland to find out more details of representation in the petition for expungement process in Alabama. Email: Jordan@OrangeBeachLawyer.com or call: (251) 545-3637.

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