Expungements and Dismissals are very different paths to an end, and the end is not the same for each of those paths.
An Expungement is a legal process, which occurs after a conviction. See Expungement Process.
A Dismissal is also a legal process, but it occurs before a conviction. Ideally, your criminal defense attorney will seek and achieve a dismissal of charges against you prior to the preliminary hearing or trial.
If your criminal defense attorney isn't able to achieve a dismissal prior to trial, she or he will - if possible - move the court for a dismissal during the trial.
A dismissal can occur during plea negotiations, at any time before trial, during a trial or at the conclusion of a trial even as part of the verdict. Regardless of when the dismissal occurs, the public record will show that the person was charged with the crime unless the court orders the record to be expunged.
If you have been charged with a crime and believe the charges were incorrect, contact a criminal defense attorney. If you were convicted and believe that you qualify for an Expungement, contact a criminal defense attorney who handles Expungements.
When your past criminal record is affecting your life and preventing you from achieving your goals, it is time to take action - it is time to seek an Expungement.
Yes, under Wisconsin law, some Expungements are mandatory, but these conditions MUST be met during sentencing...
Got an OWI? You will want to talk with a DUI defense attorney. Already convicted of drunk driving? Wondering about Expungement of a DUI conviction?
In some cases, Expungement Attorneys, Criminal Defense Lawyers or OWI DUI Attorneys are needed, while in other cases, an appellate attorney is needed to reopen the case or pursue an appeal of a prior criminal conviction.
Can a potential employer see your criminal record? What about your fellow workers? Who can read your criminal file?
Are juvenile criminal records automatically sealed when the juvenile turns 18? Does that Expunge them? What if the case is tried in adult court rather than juvenile court?
What is erased? See If Expunged. Erasing a criminal record, called 'Expungement' or 'Expunction' results in removing information from public view, such as on CCAP, also called sealing a criminal record. See also Expungement process.
Wisconsin Law Books DUI Defense, 8th Edition
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A few moments of bad choices can result in a lifetime of bad outcomes when a minor mistake results in a permanent devastating mark on a person's public record. That mark, as you are probably more than aware, can prevent you from obtaining a certain job, getting a loan, or getting or even keeping your security clearance. Wisconsin criminal records are open to the public. When that past criminal record is affecting your life and preventing you from achieving your goals, it is time to take action - it is time to seek an Expungement.
Wisconsin Municipal Courts typically hear cases involving first-offense OWI DUI, traffic, parking, ordinance violations, juvenile matters, underage drinking, and curfew violations.
Wisconsin Circuit Courts are trial courts divided into branches. Most counties have one branch, some share judges. Most criminal cases, 2nd and more serious drunken driving cases and civil suits are heard in Circuit Courts. CCAP is the public access to criminal, civil and other Court records.
Wisconsin Courts of Appeals are intermediate Courts to which cases are appealed. Criminal cases can be appealed by the Defendant or the District Attorney's office. The Appellate Courts are located in Milwaukee, Madison, Waukesha and Wausau.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the highest Court in the state. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over appeals from lower Courts and other matters, as well as regulating and adminstrating the practice of law in Wisconsin.
Adults and some minors' cases are heard in adult courts in the State of Wisconsin.
Juveniles who are tried for criminal offenses have their cases heard in Juvenile Court unless they are waived into adult court.