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Jan 03, 2024, Volunteering with a Criminal Record in Washington State

 

Attorney Stefanie Dorn discusses limitations criminal records impose on people long past their sentence and proactive steps people can take to move forward, both professionally and personally. This may include volunteering at their children’s schools. Call for questions. The Law Office of Stefanie Dorn (206) 222-8829 www.attorneydorn.com [email protected].

Nov 30, 2023, Freedom to the Ballot: Washington’s Fresh Start for Felons!

 

In a significant stride towards a more inclusive voting process, Washington State has just rolled out a progressive reform. Now, if you’ve wrapped up your custody sentence – be it in prison or jail – and you happen to have a felony conviction on your record, here’s your green light. You’re eligible to register and exercise your right to vote. Spread the word far and wide to all those impacted by this transformative change. It’s time for every voice, past notwithstanding, to play a role in shaping the future of our democracy. So, if you’re a Washingtonian with a felony conviction and currently not behind bars, make your mark on those ballots. Let’s amplify the impact of this reform!

Nov 08, 2023, Vacating, Expunging, and Sealing Criminal Records. What’s the Difference?

 

In today’s post, we’re addressing a common question: understanding the differences between vacating, sealing, and expunging criminal records. No need for legal jargon or complex terms – we’re here to simplify it for you.

So, what exactly are these processes?

– Vacating: This legal procedure is primarily for adult criminal convictions. It essentially nullifies the conviction, offering a fresh start for those who’ve turned their lives around.

– Sealing: Used for Juvenile Court cases or court files, sealing restricts access to records, safeguarding privacy and future prospects.

– Expunging: Expungement deletes arrest records, removing them from a client’s FBI file.

Understanding these legal options is crucial for your future. Stefanie Dorn, a Washington State attorney, will guide you through these processes, ensuring you have the information you need to make informed decisions about your record.

Jun 3, 2023, New Washington State Law Aims to Help Domestic Violence Victims Clear Their Criminal Records

 

Washington State has recently passed new laws aimed at helping victims of domestic violence. While this is a step toward protecting these vulnerable individuals, an issue still needs to be addressed: the criminal justice system can often work against them.

In Washington State, there are mandatory arrest laws where police officers are required to arrest and book someone if they determine that there has been domestic violence. However, this can lead to bad decisions, such as putting the wrong person behind bars based on superficial evidence. This can cause irreversible damage to both the victim and the wrongfully convicted perpetrator.

To combat this issue, the new law in Washington State allows victims of domestic violence who have been wrongfully convicted due to their abuser’s actions to vacate their conviction. This means those wrongly convicted can have their record cleared, giving them a fresh start.

If you are a victim of domestic violence and have been impacted by a criminal record that you should not have, please feel free to contact me to take the necessary steps to clear your record.

It is important to remember that victims of domestic violence deserve justice and protection from the criminal justice system. The new law in Washington State is a welcome development, but more needs to be done to ensure that all victims of domestic violence receive fair treatment and justice.

May 23, 2023, Streamlined Criminal Record Vacating: A Stress-Free Path to a Fresh Start

Introduction:

Dealing with a criminal record can be an overwhelming and anxiety-inducing experience. The thought of going through the process of vacating a conviction might seem like an insurmountable task, filled with time-consuming court appearances, emotional strain, and endless paperwork. However, there’s good news: Attorney Stefanie Dorn, based in Washington State, is here to alleviate your worries and make the journey towards a clean slate a stress-free one. In this blog post, we’ll explore how Stefanie simplifies the process of vacating criminal records, providing a streamlined solution that takes the burden off your shoulders.

The Misconceptions and Concerns:

Many individuals who consider vacating their criminal record often express concerns about the extensive time, effort, and emotional toll it may take. Appearing in court multiple times, dealing with appeals, and taking time off work can be daunting and add to the already overwhelming nature of the process. Anxiety and uncertainty often cloud the path to a fresh start.

Stefanie Dorn: Your Stress-Free Solution:

Enter Stefanie Dorn, an experienced attorney in Washington State who specializes in helping individuals with their criminal records. With her expertise and streamlined approach, Stefanie takes the stress out of vacating convictions, making the process accessible and hassle-free.

Simplifying the Process:

Contrary to common misconceptions, Stefanie emphasizes that the process of vacating a criminal record doesn’t have to be a lengthy, convoluted ordeal. Rather than gathering letters from various sources and enduring numerous court appearances, Stefanie provides a much more streamlined version. All she needs from her clients is their date of birth and an electronic signature on some documents.

Handling the Legalities:

Once you’ve entrusted Stefanie with the task of vacating your criminal record, she takes care of all the necessary paperwork, court filings, and interactions with the legal system on your behalf. This means you can focus on moving forward and rebuilding your life, without the stress and anxiety that often accompany such endeavors.

A Stress-Free Journey:

Stefanie’s aim is to ensure that the process of vacating your criminal record becomes a stress-free journey. By handling the complexities of the legal system, she minimizes the time, effort, and emotional strain on your part. This allows you to experience a smoother transition towards a brighter future.

Conclusion:

Don’t let the fear of an anxiety-inducing process deter you from seeking a fresh start. Attorney Stefanie Dorn is committed to simplifying the path to vacating your criminal record, making it a stress-free experience for her clients. With her expertise, she handles all the necessary paperwork, court filings, and interactions with the legal system, allowing you to focus on rebuilding your life with confidence.

If you’re interested in vacating your criminal record but find the courts overwhelming, reach out to the law office of Stefanie Dorn at 206-222-8829. Take the first step towards a stress-free journey to a brighter future, where your past no longer defines you.

May 10, 2023, Vacating a Felony Conviction in Washington State: What You Need to Know

If you have a felony conviction on your record, you may not have considered vacating it yet. However, vacating a conviction can offer several benefits, including the ability to state that you have not been convicted of a crime for employment and housing purposes. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what you need to know about vacating a felony conviction in Washington State.

First, it’s essential to understand that most class B and C felonies are eligible for vacating after 5 or 10 years, depending on the offense. The general requirement is that you’ve completed what you were told to do and otherwise stayed out of trouble. For example, if you were convicted of a class B felony, you must wait ten years from the date of your release from confinement, including community custody or post-prison supervision. If you were convicted of a class C felony, you must wait five years from the date of your release from confinement, including community custody or post-prison supervision.

The vacating process is relatively smooth and not very hands-on for clients. You can hire a criminal record attorney like Stefanie Dorn from the Law Office of Stefanie Dorn to assist you. The attorney can guide you through the process, which typically involves filing a motion with the court and attending a hearing. If the court grants your motion, the court will enter an order vacating your conviction. The order will state that you have not been convicted of the crime for all purposes, including housing and employment.

It’s essential to note that vacating a conviction doesn’t erase your criminal record. Instead, it creates a separate record that shows the conviction has been vacated. However, the separate record is not visible to the public or most employers, and you can state that you have not been convicted of the crime. If you’re interested in vacating a felony conviction in Washington State, don’t hesitate to contact the Law Office of Stefanie Dorn. Stefanie Dorn is a criminal record attorney who has helped many clients through the vacating process. You can call her office at 206-222-8829 or visit her website at https://www.attorneydorn.com for more information.

Apr 08, 2023, Vacating Your Criminal Record in Washington State: Recent Changes in Eligibility Requirements

If you’ve been told in the past that you’re not eligible to vacate your Washington State criminal record, it’s worth taking another look. Significant changes in the law in the past 3-5 years have expanded eligibility, and you may now be able to vacate your record even if you were not eligible before. In this blog post, I’ll discuss these changes and what they mean for you.

In the past, eligibility for vacating a criminal record in Washington State was limited to certain case types, and there were logistical and financial restrictions that made it difficult for some individuals to vacate their records. Additionally, if you had multiple convictions, you were often only able to vacate one of them.

However, in the past few years, there have been significant changes to the law that have made it easier for individuals to vacate their criminal records. For example, you can now vacate multiple case types, and there are fewer logistical and financial restrictions. Additionally, if you have multiple convictions, you may now be able to vacate more than one of them.

These changes mean that even if you were not eligible to vacate your criminal record in the past, you may now meet the requirements. If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible, it’s worth seeking the help of an experienced expungement attorney. As a Washington State expungement attorney, I can review your case and help you understand your options.

In conclusion, significant changes in the law have made it easier for individuals to vacate their criminal records in Washington State. If you’ve been told in the past that you’re not eligible, it’s worth taking another look to see if you now meet the requirements. Contact my office at (206) 222-8829 to learn more about the changes in the law and how they may impact your eligibility to vacate your criminal record.

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