Tangi C. Carter, an attorney in Mississippi with extensive experience expunging cases shares her insights on expungement, and how it has positively impacted the lives of some of her clients.
What is the purpose of expungement, first and foremost?
A criminal record can be expunged by a court order. If the client is eligible for expungement, then he can legally state that he was never convicted of any crime on his job application or school application. He can also state that he’s never been arrested.
The majority of people don’t realize that even after a case is dismissed or a jury has acquitted them, is still on record. To have an arrest removed, you must take the extra step of having the case expunged. Records are purged from all local, state and federal authorities that have a record.
What is the expungement process in your jurisdiction?
The process depends on the type and severity of the sentence imposed by the court. Many violent felonies are not eligible for expungement.
In most cases, you will have to successfully complete the sentence that the court has imposed. In most cases, you will need to hire a lawyer because the process can be complicated. In the court where you were charged, you would file a petition for expungement. The order must be approved and signed by both the judge and prosecutor. The clerk’s office will forward the court order, once it is signed, to the Mississippi Criminal Information Center, which will remove the charge from county, state, and federal databases.
What is the value of expungement for DUI offenders who have committed past offenses?
The service of expunging a DUI record is invaluable. A DUI conviction will prevent many employers from hiring someone. Likewise, many licensing boards won’t accept someone with a DUI conviction. The public shame of a DUI conviction is finally removed. It is usually one of the most embarrassing experiences in a person’s life.
The majority of people don’t realize that even if they are acquitted or a charge is dropped, is still on record.
What are the limits to records that may be expunged from Mississippi’s record?
Yes. A person can only expunge a single (1) felony conviction. You can expunge all arrests and that you have made, but not convictions.
What is the impact of age on the sentence?
You must wait five years after you have served your sentence to petition the court for an expungement of your record.
How can an experienced lawyer ensure that a court order for expungement has the best possible chance of being successful?
An experienced lawyer should be familiar with the laws governing expungements, as they differ for different types of charges and sentences. Expunctions can be confusing to someone who is unfamiliar.
An experienced lawyer knows who to contact to expunge the charges from the records of each agency.
Tell us about your expungement work.
I have expunged thousands of cases. Moreover, certain charges cannot be expunged. Many of our clients hunt or carry firearms to protect themselves. We can petition the court for the restoration of their firearms rights even if the case is not expunged.
About Tangi Carleton
Tell us about your legal career. Why did you decide to start your own law firm?
Since I was five, I’ve wanted to become a lawyer. My mother worked in the courthouse for many years (first as a court clerk, later as a court administrator and finally a court reporter). She always took me with her to work. I spent a lot of time in the courthouse, and with lawyers. I grew in this environment. My grandfathers both worked in the local government. They took me too to court. My dad was an anti-drugs agent. My uncle was deputy sheriff. My other uncle served as the elected district attorney in the area, and his son now holds the same position. My step-father also worked in law enforcement. My step-brother is currently working at the local Sheriff’s Office and I can name too many relatives who are involved with our legal system.
After I graduated from law school, I began working as Assistant Public Defender in the Public Defender’s Office of Pensacola (Florida). After working there for several years, I moved into private practice. Then, I went to work at the Federal Public Defender’s Office. I’ve been a criminal defense lawyer for most of my life. In 2013, I opened a Mississippi office. I am licensed to practice law in Mississippi, Louisiana and other states. I also serve on the CJA panel of the Southern District Court of MS. I am also admitted in Tennessee and Florida.
What motivates you to be successful for your clients and what is the motivation behind that?
My clients become like family to me. I get to know my clients so well that they become like family. To fight for them, I must know them well. The courtroom is a busy and crowded place. I want to hear my client’s voice. I don’t want my client to just be another name in the courtroom. To tell the story I need to know my client. I spend a great deal of time talking to my clients and their family and friends about who they are.
Never rely on my own experience and knowledge to make decisions about a case. I include my clients, his family, and his friends in the preparation of the trial. My clients have given me some of my best ideas. My client’s life is on the line. I always take my client’s concerns seriously. After the day is over, I’ll go back to my own life. They may not. I’m here to help them, not to be smarter than anyone else.
It is important to remind yourself of this constantly. I do this in order to serve others. I’m not doing it to boost my ego. This distinction can be difficult to make. I can see my own flaw and that of other lawyers.
What are your future plans for your practice?
Since 25 years, I’ve been an attorney. I enjoy being a criminal defense attorney. Lindsay Arevalo, my first associate attorney, was hired in January. She is a criminal defense lawyer with experience, and she also handles youth court and family law cases.
I plan to continue growing my law firm. I want my law firm to be the most successful criminal defense firm in the State. I believe we are on the right track. I am surrounded by a great team. Amanda Maurer, who is also a paralegal, is here with me. Dakota Pruitt is our receptionist. We always have a few interns on hand because we have a great internship program with the University of Southern Mississippi.
Mark and I both love to travel. My dream would be to run a law office by myself and assist in some of the most complex criminal jury trial. I would like to continue speaking to clients, representing clients, and handling the marketing etc. But I would also like to be able to travel a lot during the year.
Tangi Carter, Founder
The Law Firm Of Tangi Carter & Associates
912 W Pine St. Hattiesburg, MS 39401, USA
Tel: +1 601-544-1313
Tangi Cart has extensive experience as a lawyer and former Federal and State Public Defender. She is highly qualified and experienced in trials, pleas to sentencing, bail hearings arraignments dockets calls motion hearings probation violations. Tangi Carter primarily handles federal criminal cases in Mississippi and Louisiana. She was named one of the top 100 criminal trial lawyers in Mississippi for the second consecutive year. The Mississippi Business Journal also named her as a 2022 Mississippi Leaders in Law Award recipient.