If you've been convicted of a Pennsylvania DUI charge, you may wonder if there's any way to clear up your criminal record and restore your reputation. It may be possible to address your criminal conviction through the process of post-conviction relief. A skilled Pennsylvania lawyer from Zachary B. Cooper, Attorney at Law, P.C. can review your case to determine whether post-conviction relief may be an option for you.
There are obvious benefits to cleaning up your criminal record. A conviction can create obstacles to jobs, housing, education, and numerous other opportunities. Clearing up your criminal record may help you to put past mistakes behind you and embark on a new chapter in your life.
One post-conviction relief option involves petitioning the court to reduce the seriousness of the charge of which you were convicted. PA DUI offenses and other crimes are charged as ungraded misdemeanors, graded misdemeanors, or felonies. It may be possible to have a felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor or a graded misdemeanor reduced to an ungraded misdemeanor.
Expungement may also be an option if you're trying to clear up your Pennsylvania criminal conviction. Only certain offenses can be expunged, and the court has discretion in deciding whether to strike your conviction from the record.
You must meet certain conditions in order to be eligible for post-conviction relief. If you're still on probation, you're not eligible for post-conviction relief, but your attorney may be able to successfully petition the court to end your probation early. Your fines must be paid in full. You can't have any current criminal cases pending before the court.
Post-conviction relief may give you the opportunity to embark on the future with a clean slate. To determine whether expungement or a reduction of charges is a possibility in your case, please contact an experienced Pennsylvania DUI attorney from Zachary B. Cooper, Attorney at Law, P.C. today for a free consultation.