Las Vegas, NV asked in Federal Crimes for Maryland

Q: I was convicted of a felony 9 years ago Straw purchase. I would like to petition the court for an expungement.

It was a first offense, I never even had a parking ticket prior. Good standing in society but was associated with someone of whom I was dating and I did not know that he had a felony charge in his past. I was studying for my insurance license for a bail bond business. When I purchase my weapon, he was with me and he asked me to loan him money to purchase a weapon. I did and was charged with straw purchase. The prosecutor made me out to be someone who was purchasing a stock of weapons. My attorney was court appointed and did not represent me well. He used a scare tactic to keep me from appealing my case. I was not familiar with the law so I did not appeal it. I am a good person who was associated with someone who was not honest with me.

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2 Lawyer Answers
Gary Kollin
Gary Kollin
Answered

A: There is no standardized process nor statutory entitlement to sealing nor expungement in federal court. It is a complicated process with requesting a federal judge to take extraordinary actions.

Youshould retain counsel

1 user found this answer helpful

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
Answered
  • Rockville, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: You state you were charged with a federal crime, which is only prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office in the United States District Court. If that is the case, federal convictions cannot be expunged.

If this was really a state court charge, I would need more details about the specific charge, as well as the disposition. Most convictions in Maryland, in particular, felony and weapons convictions, cannot be expunged. If, however, you were granted a "probation before judgment" then you are eligible for expungement, since that is not a conviction.

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