Pardons, Clemency, Expunctions and Non-disclosures
If you have been convicted of a federal felony crime, the only way to remove that crime from your record is a Presidential pardon. Historically, about 10% of pardons have been granted. The first step is there must be at least five years since the sentence was discharged. There is an application procedure that is processed through the Office of the Pardon Attorney in the Department of Justice. In years were an incumbent president (2008) is leaving office, the numbers of pardons have traditionally increased. If you need legal representation in the pardon process you should contact this office prior to May of 2008.
There are procedures for state and federal clemency. That is, the commuting of a sentence. This power is not widely used but is available where there might have been a harsh sentence and there are circumstances that might require a lesser sentence. In the federal system, the application is processed through the Pardon Attorney. In the state system, it is processed through the Governor's Office.
Expunctions are available if you were found not guilty of a crime or the allegations were dismissed. If you received deferred adjudication you may be entitled to an order of non-disclosure but you are not entitled to an expunction except in the case of a class C misdemeanor.