Struggling With An Arrest or Conviction On Your Record In The Portland Metro Area?
“Our Law Firm May Be Able To Get Your Criminal Record Sealed So You Can Get A Fresh Start With Your Life”
Call Now To See If You Qualify
Here are some of the the most common ways a record of arrest or conviction can affect you and your family
- Employment: While Oregon has banned most employers from asking about an applicants criminal record, if an employer is required to do a background check on employees they can still require you to list arrests and convictions. In addition, the ban is only on the initial application, a background check can still be performed on potential employees as a condition of hiring.
- Rental Applications, Mortgage Loans and Housing: Don't be at a competitive disadvantage in the rental market, or pay more than you should for a mortgage loan. Arrests and convictions are an easy way for landlords and banks to sort, deny or exclude applicants.
- Background Checks: It's not just employers that perform background checks. Kids sports leagues, school volunteer opportunities, and other organizations are all now performing background checks.
Don't let a prior mistake continue to hurt your career, credit or personal relationships. A Portland metro area criminal record expungement can give you a fresh start!
Do I Qualify For A Criminal Record Expungement?
Oregon law only allows records of arrest and conviction to be expunged in some cases. You may qualify to have your Portland metro area record “sealed” or expunged if your conviction is one of the following:
- Drug possession and some other drug crimes
- Assault, domestic violence
- Shoplifting, theft, other property crimes
- Most class “C” felonies
- Most misdemeanors, including any violations of county or city ordinances
- Any crime punishable as either a misdemeanor or a felony at the discretion of the court
- Any violation (under state or local law)
- Crimes involving marijuana (when punishable as a felony only)
- An offense committed before January 1, 1972 which present law would classify under the categories listed, except for any sex crime or any crime which would constitute child abuse as defined in ORS 419B.005: Criminal Mistreatment 1 (ORS 163.205) or Endangering the Welfare of a Minor (ORS 163.5751A)
Some records of conviction and arrest cannot be expunged, including:
- Convictions for traffic offenses such as Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and reckless driving
- Convictions for Class A and B felonies (excepting that some offenses related to marijuana that are Class A or B felonies may be set aside
- Convictions for crimes defined as "sex crimes" and crimes against children
If you think you qualify, call or email our office to set up a free consultation with an attorney that specializes in Portland metro area expungement cases to confirm your eligibility.
Costs And Fees
We charge an attorney fee of $750. You will also be responsible for any court costs.
To expunge a conviction there is an additional $265 court filing fee and a $80 cost paid to the Oregon State Police to conduct a background check. If you are expunging only an arrest, then there is no filing fee or background fee.
All filing fees and one half of the attorney fee are due upon retaining our services. The balance is due within 60 days of retaining our services.
There is never a fee for us to determine your eligibility. We offer free phone evaluations.
Robert Harris has practiced law since 1986 after graduating with honors from Law School.
He is the founder of Harris Velázquez Gibbens, Attorneys at Law in Hillsboro and is a well respected and active practitioner in Oregon.