Agree to terms of submitting application

Thank you for submitting your application for expungement assistance.

Expectations
The Public Defender’s office will notify you if they are able to assist you. If you appear to be eligible, they will tell you what the next steps are. If you are not, they will explain some alternative options. Even if you are eligible to have your record sealed, the State has the right to oppose the sealing of the record and the judge has discretion on whether or not to seal the record.
* Because there are so many considerations involved in a decision to file an application for expungement, the Public Defender cannot tell you right away if you are eligible and whether the Office will represent you.*

After submitting your application, you should expect to hear from the Cuyahoga County Public Defender’s office within 4 weeks about whether they are going to file to seal your record. There are, however, several other steps in the expungement process and, from start to finish, that process usually takes 6 to 8 months.

In addition to the attorneys, the following staff help facilitate the record sealing process:

Cuyahoga County Public Defender’s Office Expungement Staff: 216.443.7580
Katie Wingle: 216.443.3657, kwingle@cuyahogacounty.us