If you’re like many people with a criminal record, you want to seal it and get it out of public view as soon as possible. But how long do you have to wait to seal criminal records in Illinois?
Here’s what you need to know.
How Long Do I Have to Wait to Seal Criminal Records in Illinois?
There are waiting periods you must complete before you can file a petition to seal your criminal record in Illinois. However, you can seal arrest records that never resulted in any charges, dropped charges or findings of not guilty immediately – you don’t have to wait a certain amount of time before filing a petition to seal those.
Here’s a quick run-down on the waiting periods for sealing many offenses in Illinois.
|
Case Type |
Waiting Period |
| Successful completion of a supervision sentence | 2 years after the end of the last sentence you served in any case |
| Being found guilty of misdemeanors or felonies (but only those that qualify for sealing) | 3 years after you complete your last sentence in any case |
| Successful completion of special, qualified probation such as 710, 1410 or TASC | 3 years after the completion of the last sentence you served in any case |
| Successful completion of first offender probation under Section 10 – Cannabis Control Act, Section 70 – Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, or Section 410 – Illinois Controlled Substances Act | 3 years after the end of the last sentence you served in any case |
| Second-Chance Probation under the Unified Code of Corrections | 3 Years after you complete the last sentence you served in any case |
What About the Education Waiver Petition?
If you completed specific educational goals during your last sentence, you may not have to wait the entire time required before filing a sealing petition. You may be able to file an early petition for sealing if you earned one of the following during your sentence:
- High school diploma
- Career certificate
- GED
- Vocational or technical certification
- Associate’s degree
- Bachelor’s degree
Do You Need to Talk to a Lawyer About Sealing Your Criminal Records?
If you’re thinking about getting a fresh start through criminal record sealing, we may be able to help you. Call us at 847-920-4540 for a free case review right now – we’ll answer all your questions and help you get on the right track.
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