Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

Theft1 Charge

I would like to know if there has ever been a case where a person has been convicted of a Theft1 charge and had the conviction consealed from their background history. Or if there is a way to do this.


Asked on 12/31/00, 4:25 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Charles Aspinwall Charles S. Aspinwall, J.D., LLC

Re: Theft1 Charge

A person's adult criminal history is generally there for life. Juvenile offenses are not reported.

Under certain VERY limited conditions it is possible to have prior criminal convictions "expunged" from one's criminal history, but they are few and far between. One of the more common is that a person was not represented by a lawyer at the time of the conviction, bringing the validity of the conviction into question.

Consult a criminal lawyer in your area.

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Answered on 1/04/01, 8:48 am
Paul Ferris Law Office of Paul T. Ferris

You can in WA

Although this question was posted over 1 year ago, it's important for readers to know that in WA, a Theft 1 conviction can be vacated from criminal history provided the eligibility requirements are met:

1. more than 10 years have passed since discharge from DOC supervision;

2. no criminal convictions since discharged (not even a simple charge of No Valid Operator's License);

3. no criminal charges pending;

4. no legal financial obligations remaining

The relevant statute is RCW 9.94A.640.

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Answered on 1/20/02, 6:38 pm


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