first you can only get your criminal record expunged once in your lifetime so if it's your juvenile record your worried about that will close automaticly unless your on probation when you turn 18 then that charge could follow you into your adult record. But if you are an adult looking to get your record expunged you have to have had at least 2years clean that includes traffic violations! You dont have to have a lawyer but it cost $500.00 dollars (in the state of Ohio) you go infront of a judge (most of the time it will be a magistate) they look at your record, they will ask you if you know the rule about only once in your lifetime, then if you have your court cost or fee what ever they call it, and your record will be expunged only to the federal government in a nessesary situation would ever be able to see.