One of the major consequences of being convicted of a crime is having a criminal record that follows you around for the rest of your life. This record can negatively impact your career prospects, housing opportunities, and social standing. Fortunately, this does not always have to be the case. By clearing your criminal record, you can get a fresh start. A Lakewood defense attorney from The Law Offices of Elaine E. Lukic can discuss the process during a confidential consultation.
Expungement and Sealing of Criminal Records
Expungement and sealing are two methods that allow people to restrict public access to their criminal records. Expungement completely erases a criminal record, while sealing a record hides it from most background checks.
Expungement is only possible in cases involving wrongful arrests or convictions or when a person is a victim of identity theft. Sealing is available in more situations, such as if charges against you were dismissed, you were acquitted, or you completed a diversion program. An experienced Lakewood sexual assault defense attorney can review your circumstances and explain if you qualify for either option.
Benefits of Expungement and Criminal Record Sealing
Clearing your criminal record can provide you with several benefits, including:
- Reputation control – In this digital age, anyone can publish your criminal records and damage your reputation, even if the crimes you allegedly committed happened long ago. When you seal your criminal record, most public access will be gone.
- Employment opportunities – When your record is sealed, the crime will not usually appear on background checks, so employers won’t use this information against you.
- Housing opportunities – Potential landlords and property management companies often run background checks, sometimes denying potential tenants the right to live somewhere based on the results.
- Education and financial aid – Some criminal records can prevent you from enrolling in certain education programs, while others can prevent you from receiving financial aid.
Steps Involved in the Sealing or Expungement of Your Criminal Record
The process of clearing your criminal record can be complex, generally involving the following steps:
- Determine eligibility – You can consult with a knowledgeable attorney to learn whether you qualify for expungement or record sealing.
- Obtain necessary documents – You will need official documents related to your case. Your lawyer can help you gather them.
- File a petition – Your lawyer prepares a petition and files it in the court where your case was handled.
- Serve notice – You must provide notice to specific parties, based on the type of case. This may include the district attorney’s office, law enforcement agencies, and others. They have a chance to respond and object to your petition.
- Attend the hearing – If there are objections, you may have to attend a hearing to present your case and make your arguments. The court makes a decision after the hearing and notifies you of its decision.
We can guide you through this process, ensuring you understand your legal rights and options at each step.
Contact Us Today to Explore Your Legal Options
If you would like to take the first step toward clearing your name, a knowledgeable Lakewood domestic violence defense lawyer from The Law Offices of Elaine E. Lukic can help. We understand the complex process of expunging or sealing criminal records. We can discuss your situation during a confidential case review. Call us at (888) 565-2217 or fill out our contact form to get started.