Hi there! My name is Attorney Micah Huggins. I am the founder of Huggins Law Firm, P.C. We have been in business for over a decade. Our clients rate us highly. But ratings are not what matter most to me. What truly matters is helping you fix mistakes and protecting your future. We proudly represent people in Greensboro, Graham, Burlington, Asheboro, High Point, Kernersville, and Winston-Salem.
Our firm was built on a simple promise: Justice with Integrity. Representation with Heart. At Huggins Law Firm, we believe that great representation goes beyond just knowing the law. It is about standing up for people when the stakes are high, when the odds are heavy, and when the court system feels totally overwhelming.
Founded by me, Attorney Micah E. Huggins, our firm was built on a clear belief: every single client deserves clarity, compassion, and a champion in their corner. Whether you need help with Criminal Cases, Family Law Cases, Estate Planning, or Personal Injury, we bring the exact same level of hard work to every single case.
We do not just file papers or show up in court. We fight with strategy, we counsel with empathy, and we work to restore what has been lost—your dignity, your stability, or your peace of mind.
Fall is here! September is a time for new beginnings. Kids go back to school, the weather cools down, and you might be looking for a fresh start. Today, we are talking about clearing your criminal record. North Carolina recently changed the law to make it easier and faster to wipe your record clean. Let’s talk about the new 3-year waiting period.
What Is the New 3-Year Waiting Period for Expungements in North Carolina?
An “expungement” is a legal process that completely erases a criminal charge or conviction from your public record. It is like it never happened. When you apply for a job or an apartment, you can legally say you have a clean record.
For a long time, the laws in North Carolina were very strict. If you were convicted of a single nonviolent misdemeanor, you had to wait five long years before you could ask the judge to clear your record. Five years is a long time to have a mistake hanging over your head.
The law changed. Session Law 2025-71, ratified by the General Assembly on June 30, 2025, amended North Carolina General Statute 15A-145.5. Now, you only have to wait three years to clear a single nonviolent misdemeanor conviction, counted from the date of conviction or the end of any active sentence, probation, or post-release supervision, whichever is later. The change applies to petitions filed on or after the date the law took effect. If you were told in the past that you had to wait five years, your waiting time might already be over.
Why Do So Many People Need Expungements in Greensboro and Guilford County?
If you have a criminal record, you are not alone. Our local courts in the Triad are incredibly busy.
Many people in Greensboro and High Point carry an old misdemeanor conviction from years ago, and many do not know they may now qualify to clear it.
A misdemeanor on your record can stand between you and a job, an apartment, or a license. The three-year rule gives many people a faster way to clear it.
Our North Carolina expunction page explains the waiting periods for other kinds of records. To find out whether your record qualifies, call Huggins Law Firm at (336) 281-2008.
How Can Attorney Micah Huggins Help You Get a Fresh Start?
The expungement process is not something you should try to do on your own. The paperwork is very confusing.
The new 3-year rule has a tricky detail. The law says you must wait three years from the date you were convicted, or three years from the date you finished your sentence (like probation), whichever is later. If you fill out the forms wrong, the judge will reject your case, and you will have to start all over.
When you hire Huggins Law Firm, we handle everything for you. We pull your background check. We talk to the District Attorney. We make sure the court seals your file so employers can no longer see your past mistakes.
Because our firm also handles Family Law, we know that clearing your record can help you win custody of your kids. Because we handle Estate Planning and Personal Injury, we know that having a good job (which a clean record helps you get) can help protect your family’s future.
Key Takeaways: Expunging Your Record in NC
- The Wait is Shorter: The waiting period to clear a single nonviolent misdemeanor dropped from five years down to just three years!
- A Fresh Start: Thousands of people in North Carolina can now clear their records sooner. Fall is the perfect time to file your paperwork.
- Minor Crimes Are Common: Many people in Guilford County with a single nonviolent misdemeanor may be able to use this new law.
- It Is Not Automatic: You must file a formal petition with the court. The state does not do it for you.
- We Are Your Champion: Micah Huggins knows the local court system and will guide you through every single step to get your life back.
10 Common Questions About North Carolina Expungements
When people call our office looking for a fresh start, they ask a lot of questions. Here are the top ten questions people ask us, answered in plain English.
1. What exactly does an expungement do?
An expungement erases the crime from your public criminal record. It tells the police, the courts, and the jail to delete your file. When an employer runs a background check, it will come back clean.
2. Can I expunge a felony under the new law?
The new 3-year rule is only for a single nonviolent misdemeanor. If you have a nonviolent felony, you still have to wait ten years to clear it.
3. What if my case was dismissed? Do I still have to wait three years?
No! If your case was thrown out, dismissed, or you were found “not guilty,” there is no waiting period. We can file to expunge it immediately.
4. Do traffic tickets count as misdemeanors?
Most minor traffic tickets (like speeding) do not count against your expungement waiting period. However, serious traffic crimes like a DWI cannot be expunged if you were convicted.
5. Will an expungement restore my gun rights?
If you lost your gun rights because of a nonviolent felony, getting an expungement will restore your Second Amendment rights so you can legally buy a firearm again.
6. How long does the expungement process take in court?
It requires patience. Once we file the paperwork, the state has to run deep background checks. It usually takes anywhere from six to twelve months for the judge to finally sign the order.
7. Does the District Attorney get a say in my expungement?
Yes. The law gives the District Attorney 30 days to review your petition. If they object, we might have to go to a hearing to fight for your right to a clean record.
8. Can I get more than one misdemeanor expunged?
Yes, but the waiting period is longer. If you have multiple nonviolent misdemeanors on your record, you must wait seven years to clear them, not three.
9. Do I have to tell a job interviewer about an expunged crime?
No! Under North Carolina law, once a crime is expunged, you have the legal right to say “No” if an application asks if you have ever been arrested or convicted of that crime.
10. Why should I hire Huggins Law Firm to clear my record?
Because a single mistake on the complicated state forms can ruin your chance at a clean slate. We make sure everything is perfect, we track the paperwork, and we fight to get you the fresh start you deserve
A word from Attorney Huggins
If something on your record is holding you back from a job, a home, or a license, call. Expunction law in North Carolina has changed in recent years, and the answer for you depends on your record. We will look at it with you.
Your record should not keep you from the life you have built since.
