Expungement Attorney Serving Howard County, Maryland

Clearing Your Record in Howard County

Whether you were charged in Howard County District Court or the Circuit Court for Howard County, a prior arrest or conviction on your record can affect employment, housing, and professional licensing. Maryland's 2025 Expungement Reform Act dramatically expanded who qualifies — and Attorney Adam Sean Cohen has helped Howard County clients navigate this process for over 30 years.

Expungement petitions for Howard County cases are filed in the court where the original charge was heard. The process requires identifying the correct case number, confirming eligibility, serving the State's Attorney's office, and attending any hearing if the State objects. Most straightforward petitions are resolved without a contested hearing.

What the 2025 Reform Act Changed for Howard County Residents

Prior to 2025, Maryland's expungement law excluded most misdemeanor convictions and nearly all felony convictions from eligibility. The 2025 reform changed this significantly. Many misdemeanor convictions are now eligible for expungement after a waiting period — generally 5 years after completion of sentence for most convictions, with certain offenses carrying longer periods (7 years for second degree assault; 15 years for domestically related crimes). Many eligible felony convictions carry a 7-year wait, with some exceptions. Automatic expungement provisions were also enacted for certain narrow categories, though petitioned expungement remains more reliable for most clients.

If your Howard County charge resulted in a dismissal, acquittal, or nolle prosequi, it may be eligible for expungement — but note that a petition generally cannot be filed within 3 years of that disposition unless you simultaneously file a written waiver and release of all related tort claims. For a probation before judgment (PBJ), the waiting period is the later of your probation discharge date or 3 years from the date the PBJ was entered. A DUI/DWI PBJ carries a 15-year waiting period.

Common Howard County Charges We Help Expunge

Our Howard County expungement clients commonly seek to clear records involving marijuana possession, simple drug possession, minor theft, disorderly conduct, malicious destruction of property, and assault charges that did not result in conviction. DUI/DWI convictions remain generally ineligible, though DUI charges resulting in PBJ, acquittal, or dismissal may qualify.

Why Work With The Cohen Law Firm for Your Howard County Expungement?

Attorney Adam Sean Cohen has appeared in Howard County courts throughout his 30-year career. He understands the local court procedures, the preferences of the State's Attorney's office, and how Maryland's expungement statutes apply to different charge types. Every expungement client speaks directly with Adam — not a paralegal or associate.