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Beginner training • Internal resource

Resource Center

Training guides, procedures, and resources in one place.

Welcome

Welcome to the NovaStar Resource Center. Choose a category below to explore firm procedures, step-by-step training, and ready-to-use resources.

Looking for something specific?

Use the search bar on the left to find a guide. More categories will become available as procedures are added.

What is this guide for?

Use this guide when someone opens an inquiry ticket in NovaStar's Discord asking about expungement. Opening a ticket does not mean a formal case has been opened.

Important: Records requests are FREE.
The client pays the full $10,000 only after records review and eligibility screening, and before the petition is drafted or submitted.

The process at a glance

Collect ID and intake information.
Submit a free records request.
Review records and check the 30-day rule.
Disclose fees and verify full payment.
Copy and prepare the applicable petition.
Submit to court, record the filing date/time, update the client, and monitor judiciary/DA responses.
After approval, the judge notifies the Police Commissioner about the signed order. Tell the client the order was signed, without claiming the MDT has already changed.

Follow current NovaStar procedures and confirm any uncertain requirements with firm leadership.

Follow these stages in order

Open any stage for detailed beginner instructions.

1. Discord inquiry & client identification · Free

In the existing Discord inquiry thread, request a clear copy of the client's ID. Verify full legal name, date of birth, and Citizen ID.

Ask: What records do you want expunged? When were you last arrested? Have you had any citations or new charges since? Are any matters pending? Have you sought expungement before? Were any requests denied? Did you use any other names on your records?

These answers are preliminary. Verify relevant dates and charges using official records.

2. Submit the records request · Free

Prepare the request for records and submit it in Discord → Jobs → #Filed-Documents.

Do not charge the client for this step. Await the records before making a final determination.

3. Review records and the 30-day rule · Free

Review the received records and identify the most recent arrest date. If it was more than 30 days ago, proceed to the fee disclosure. If not, advise the client when the period will have elapsed.

Do not promise eligibility or a particular outcome before reviewing the records. How NovaStar handles the inquiry ticket while waiting is still an open internal policy question.

4. Explain fees and verify payment · Required checkpoint

After the records review, disclose the $10,000 standard expungement fee. Payment must be received in full and verified before drafting the petition.

Explain that additional fees may apply if the court demands a hearing, further documentation, or additional proceedings. Advise the client before any extra charges are incurred.

Only use the firm's authorized payment instructions; independently confirm payment rather than relying on a client's statement or screenshot.

STOP: No confirmed full payment means no petition drafting and no court submission.

5. Prepare the petition · After verified payment

Make a copy of the applicable expungement petition template. Never overwrite the master. Complete the copy using verified client information and the records obtained.

Check spelling, Citizen ID, dates, and the records covered by the request. Obtain any required internal review before filing.

6. Submit to court & await judicial review

Once payment is verified and the petition is complete and reviewed, submit it through the designated court process. Await the judge's review and signature or further direction.

Record the exact submission date, time, and time zone; confirm the filing was accepted or delivered, then notify the client in their existing Discord ticket. Monitor responses from judiciary staff and the District Attorney’s Office. Communicate substantive updates promptly, including requests for documents, hearings, objections, decisions, or signed orders. Record each response and any follow-up required. If the court demands a hearing or other additional work, advise the client about applicable extra fees before proceeding. Do not represent the petition as approved until the court has actually acted.

7. Client updates & judicial decision · After submission

Keep the existing Discord ticket updated. Send the client the actual petition submission date and time (including time zone), then send an update whenever judiciary staff or the DA provides substantive information.

Explain what was received, whether the petition remains pending, and what happens next. If the judge signs an order, verify the signed order and any remaining steps before describing the matter as complete.

8. If the DA objects · Respond before decision

An objection is not a denial. Record who objected, when, and the specific reasons. Read the objection and compare each point with the records and petition.

Notify the client that an objection was received and explain that the petition remains pending unless the court has ruled.
Determine whether the objection identifies missing information, a factual disagreement, or an eligibility issue.
Gather supporting records or corrections, and determine what response or hearing the court requires under current server procedures.
Check any stated response deadline and seek guidance from firm leadership if unclear.
Advise the client of additional fees if the court demands a hearing or other work, before proceeding.
Submit any authorized response and continue monitoring for a judicial decision.

9. If the petition is denied · Review & next steps

Read the actual denial and identify the judge’s stated grounds. Record the decision date and notify the client in the Discord ticket, explaining the reason without speculation.

Check whether the issue is a correctable filing error, a timing/eligibility problem, or a substantive decision.
Review the applicable server rules and any court instructions to determine whether a corrected petition, reconsideration request, or new filing is permitted.
If the rules or next step are unclear, consult firm leadership or request procedural clarification from authorized judiciary staff.
Explain available options and any additional fees to the client before further paid work. Do not guarantee a reversal or resubmission.
Document the chosen next step and any deadline.

10. If approved · Judge notifies Police Commissioner

Verify the signed judicial order. The judge is responsible for notifying the Police Commissioner to update the MDT. Notify the client of the signed approval; NovaStar does not send the order to the Commissioner.

Important: NovaStar does not receive confirmation of MDT changes. Do not tell the client the MDT has already been updated.

Attorney checklist

Use this as a training aid. Checking boxes here does not record or verify an actual payment or court filing.

0 completed

Court submission is not ready.

Message signature

Choose who is sending the message. Paralegal messages will name the supervising attorney. Only use the filing-authorization wording after the attorney has approved that document.

Sender role

Your nameYour title

The copied text includes Discord-ready Markdown and real line breaks. Preview signatures below update when you change these fields.

Copyable Discord messages

Edit names and details before sending. Never place sensitive ID images or payment credentials in public channels.

Initial intake questions

Hello! Thank you for contacting NovaStar Law Partners regarding an expungement inquiry. To begin our preliminary review, please provide a clear copy of your government-issued ID showing your legal name, date of birth, and Citizen ID. Please also let us know: • Which arrest(s), citation(s), or charge(s) are you hoping to expunge? • When were you last arrested, to the best of your knowledge? • Have you received any new citations or charges since then? • Are any cases, warrants, or court obligations still pending? • Have you previously requested an expungement or had one denied? • Have you used another legal name that might appear in your records? Our initial records request and preliminary review are **free**. If your records indicate that we can proceed, NovaStar Law Partners’ standard expungement fee is **$10,000**, payable in full **after the records review and before we begin drafting your petition**. Additional fees may apply if the court requires a hearing, further documentation, or other proceedings. We will explain any additional charges before proceeding. Payment does not guarantee approval. We will review your records first and advise you of the next steps.

Fee disclosure · After records review

Hello! We have completed our preliminary records review and can discuss moving forward with your expungement request. NovaStar Law Partners' standard expungement fee is $10,000, payable in full. Payment must be received and verified BEFORE your attorney begins drafting the expungement petition or submits anything to the court. Additional fees may apply if the court demands a hearing, additional documentation, or other proceedings. We will advise you of those requirements and any associated fees before additional charges are incurred. Payment does not guarantee judicial approval. If you wish to proceed, we will provide the firm's authorized payment instructions.

Waiting-period response

Hello! Following our review of your records, your most recent arrest does not yet meet the requirement that it be more than 30 days old. Based on the verified arrest date, the earliest date to reassess your request is [DATE]. Please contact us if you have questions or if your circumstances change. We cannot guarantee approval of a future petition.

Petition submitted · Send after filing

Hello! Your Expungement Petition has been submitted to the court. Date submitted: [MM/DD/YYYY] Time submitted: [HH:MM AM/PM, TIME ZONE] Your petition is awaiting judicial review. We will keep you informed of substantive updates from judiciary staff or the District Attorney’s Office. Submission does not guarantee approval.

Judiciary / DA update

Hello! We have received an update regarding your Expungement Petition. Received from: [Judiciary Staff / District Attorney’s Office] Date received: [MM/DD/YYYY] Update: [WHAT WAS COMMUNICATED] Next steps: [ACTION REQUIRED / AWAITING FURTHER REVIEW] We will keep you informed of further developments.

Objection received — client update

Hello! We have received an objection regarding your pending Expungement Petition. **Received From:** [District Attorney / Other Party] **Date Received:** [MM/DD/YYYY] **Reason Given:** [Summarize the objection accurately.] An objection does not necessarily mean your petition has been denied. We are reviewing the concerns raised and will advise you of any required response, hearing, or additional fees before proceeding.

Petition denied

Hello! We have received the court’s decision regarding your Expungement Petition. Unfortunately, the petition has been **denied**. **Decision Date:** [MM/DD/YYYY] **Reason Given by the Court:** [Insert verified reason] Your assigned attorney will review the decision and advise whether any further steps are available. Any additional services or fees will be discussed with you before proceeding.

Petition approved — judicial notification

Hello! We are pleased to inform you that your Expungement Petition has been **approved and signed by the presiding judge**. **Date of Approval:** [MM/DD/YYYY] The judge is responsible for notifying the Police Commissioner of the signed order so the appropriate MDT record update can be made. Please note that NovaStar does not receive confirmation when the MDT update is made, so we cannot confirm when that change has occurred.

Quick reference

FREE: Intake, records request, preliminary eligibility review.
$10,000 upfront: Due after review and before drafting the petition.
Extra fees: May apply for court-demanded hearings or other proceedings.

Where do I request records?

Discord → Jobs → #Filed-Documents.

What's the eligibility timing rule?

Verify the most recent arrest occurred more than 30 days ago.

When can I start drafting?

Only once the entire $10,000 payment has been verified.

What happens after court submission?

Record the submission date/time and notify the client. Monitor judiciary and DA responses; promptly relay substantive updates and next steps. Confirm any signed order before reporting approval.

What hasn't been finalized?

Ticket closure policy, exact payment destination, petition template links, court submission channel, and detailed court-response procedures.

What if the petition is denied?

Review the stated reason, notify the client, check available correction or reconsideration procedures and deadlines, and disclose further fees before new paid work.

What happens after the judge signs?

The judge notifies the Police Commissioner of the signed order. Notify the client of approval; NovaStar does not receive MDT-change confirmation and should not claim the MDT is already updated.

What if the DA objects?

An objection is not a denial. Review the grounds, notify the client, determine any response deadline or hearing requirement, and address applicable additional fees before proceeding.

Who Can Do What?

A quick guide for the expungement process. Paralegals can help with paperwork and updates. Attorneys make the legal decisions.

Easy rule: If you're gathering information or sending an approved update, a paralegal can usually handle it. If you're making a legal decision, get the attorney.

Paralegals can handle

Collect client ID and intake answers.
Prepare and post routine records requests in #Filed-Documents when authorized.
Organize records and flag dates or missing information.
Send approved fee information and factual case updates.
Draft petitions and other paperwork after payment is verified, for attorney review.
Submit an attorney-approved, properly signed filing only when the court allows it.
Communicate the signed approval to the client; the judge handles Commissioner notification.

Ask an attorney to handle

Deciding whether the client qualifies for expungement.
Giving legal advice or choosing legal strategy.
Approving petitions, motions, and responses to objections.
Signing as the client's attorney or appearing in court.
Deciding how to respond to a denial, objection, or hearing request.

Before any petition is drafted: Verify the full $10,000 payment. Before it is filed: Get attorney approval and follow the court's filing and signature rules. The records request stays free.

Not sure?

Ask the supervising attorney before proceeding. Don't guess, give legal advice, or tell the client their expungement is guaranteed.

Staff responsibilities are subject to applicable law, court rules, and supervising attorney authorization.

How NovaStar runs a case

Use this section for everyday firm procedures. Case-specific rules, like expungement eligibility and pricing, remain in their own guides.

Simple rule: Keep the client informed, keep the case organized, and don't promise a result you can't guarantee.

Welcome the prospective client in their Discord ticket.
Identify what they need and request relevant documents or evidence.
Determine which attorney will handle the matter.
Explain applicable fees and confirm the next step.
Prepare and submit documents through the approved process.
Track updates, deadlines, and the case outcome.

These are proposed general workflows; confirm any unresolved firm policies before treating them as mandatory.

Client Intake

1. Respond to the new inquiry

Greet the client in their existing Discord ticket. Ask for a short explanation of what happened and what assistance they want. Don't promise representation or an outcome before the matter is reviewed.

2. Gather the basics

Client's name and best way to contact them.
Type of issue and relevant dates.
Reports, citations, contracts, screenshots, messages, or other available evidence.
Any hearing, deadline, or urgent issue.

Only request information needed for the matter; avoid posting sensitive material outside the appropriate case thread.

3. Route the inquiry

Summarize the issue for the assigned attorney. The attorney decides whether to accept the case, what legal steps to take, and whether additional information is needed.

Copyable greeting

Hello! Thank you for contacting NovaStar Law Partners. Please give us a brief overview of the matter you need assistance with and share any relevant documents or evidence you have available. A member of our team will review the information and advise you of the next steps.

Case Assignments

Keep one clearly identified lead attorney for each matter so clients and staff know who is responsible.

Review the inquiry and identify the appropriate practice area.
Assign a lead attorney and any assisting staff.
Introduce the assigned attorney in the client's Discord ticket.
Make sure the case team can access the relevant documents and updates.
Escalate urgent deadlines or unexpected developments to the lead attorney.

Copyable assignment message

Hello! **[Attorney Name]** will be handling your matter on behalf of NovaStar Law Partners. They will review the information provided and follow up with you regarding the next steps. Please continue to share any relevant updates or documents in this ticket. **[Staff Name]** *[Staff Title]* NovaStar Law Partners

Client Communication

Keep case-specific updates in the client's designated Discord ticket.
Acknowledge new evidence or important developments without promising a particular result.
Explain next steps in plain language and distinguish pending decisions from confirmed outcomes.
Notify the client when a document is submitted or a court response is received.
Use the correct attorney or paralegal signature.

Paralegal signatures: Use “Under the supervision of: [Attorney Name]” for routine messages. Only use “Submitted with the authorization of: [Attorney Name]” when that attorney actually authorized the submission.

Copyable status update

Hello! We wanted to provide a quick update on your matter. **[Current Status]**. Our next step is **[Next Step]**. We will update this ticket when we have additional information. **[Staff Name]** *[Staff Title]* NovaStar Law Partners

Documents & Filing

Locate the correct firm template and make a copy; never overwrite the master.
Check names, dates, case information, and supporting evidence.
Send drafts requiring legal judgment to the responsible attorney.
Submit the finalized document through the designated channel or court process.
Record the submission date/time and preserve a copy or reference.
Inform the client of meaningful filing updates.

For records requests, use the channel specified in the relevant case guide. For expungements, that is Discord → Jobs → #Filed-Documents.

Fees & Payments

Explain the applicable fee early, distinguish free preliminary work from paid representation, and never claim a payment was received until it has been verified.

Confirm the service and applicable fee with the responsible attorney or current firm schedule.
Explain what the quoted fee covers and what could cost extra.
Provide only the firm's currently approved payment instructions.
Verify receipt before beginning any work that requires upfront payment.
Record payment status in the appropriate case notes.

Expungements: Records requests and preliminary review are free; the $10,000 fee is due in full before petition drafting. Additional court-related fees may apply.

Payment destinations and a complete firm-wide fee schedule have not been added to this guide.

Staff Standards

Be professional, clear, and respectful in client-facing messages.
Keep information in the appropriate case channel; don't share client materials casually.
Use accurate titles and identify the responsible attorney.
Don't give legal advice or make eligibility decisions unless you're the authorized attorney.
Don't guarantee dismissals, expungements, settlements, or any other result.
If you're unsure about a deadline, filing, fee, or client question, ask before acting.

Quick checklist

Correct client ticket and case identified Lead attorney identified Evidence and key dates organized Fee and next step communicated Client updated on meaningful developments

Resource Center

What is this guide for?

The process at a glance

Follow these stages in order

Attorney checklist

Copyable Discord messages

Initial intake questions

Fee disclosure · After records review

Waiting-period response

Petition submitted · Send after filing

Judiciary / DA update

Objection received — client update

Petition denied

Petition approved — judicial notification

Quick reference

Where do I request records?

What's the eligibility timing rule?

When can I start drafting?

What happens after court submission?

What hasn't been finalized?

What if the petition is denied?

What happens after the judge signs?

What if the DA objects?

Who Can Do What?

Paralegals can handle

Ask an attorney to handle

Not sure?

How NovaStar runs a case

Client Intake

Copyable greeting

Case Assignments

Copyable assignment message

Client Communication

Copyable status update

Documents & Filing

Fees & Payments

Staff Standards

Quick checklist

Guide coming soon