Expunging a misdemeanor in Illinois may not be as difficult as it seems—but in order to qualify for expungement, you’ll need to meet certain criteria.

Why Expunge a Misdemeanor in Illinois?

Many people choose to expunge their criminal records to get a fresh start. Having a criminal record can prevent you from getting a job that you want, finding a decent place to live, or even taking out a loan so you can purchase a home or vehicle.

Expunged misdemeanor records are permanently destroyed, which means that they’re no longer available at all.

If you don’t qualify for expungement, you may still qualify for criminal record sealing. If that applies to you, your records won’t be destroyed—but the general public won’t usually have access to them. Law enforcement agencies can still see them, but in most cases, if your misdemeanor records have been sealed, you aren’t required to disclose them to other people (including potential employers, lenders, and others who ask).

How Does Misdemeanor Expungement Work?

Many people choose to work with a misdemeanor expungement lawyer to clear their records. Because the process can be a bit complicated, and because it’s certainly time-consuming (you’ll have to track down your criminal record, file petitions with the court, and in some cases, appear in court to argue your case), many people choose to hire a lawyer who does background checks and can handle the entire misdemeanor expungement process for them.

Do You Need to Talk to a Lawyer About Misdemeanor Expungement?

We may be able to help you with misdemeanor expungement. Every case is different, so it’s important that you call us as soon as possible at 847-920-4540.

The sooner you call us, the sooner we can conduct a background check—and the sooner we can develop a misdemeanor expungement strategy that works for you. Get in touch with us for a free misdemeanor expungement consultation; we’ll be glad to talk about your case and show you how we can help.