Nick Nolte's criminal record had been expunged after a L.A. Superior court judge gave him a glowing report at his final progress hearing.

It was widely reported that Nolte's was forced to appear in court after checking out of drug rehab following his 2002 arrest for driving under the influence of drugs.

Nolte told reporters and on-lookers outside the courthouse he was grateful for the courts time over the past three years and he's happy to move on after the scandal that has plagued his life over the drug arrest.

Now that Nolte is a law abiding citizen, he plans to help other celebrities who find themselves in similar situations with the law.

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