Can I Have Domestic Battery Expunged from My Record in Chicago?

July 18, 2014
Domestic Violence | Expungement | Uncategorized

Domestic battery is a serious offense in the state of Illinois, and it’s something that sticks with you if you’re convicted of it. As a Chicago expungement attorney, people ask me all the time if there’s any way to expunge domestic battery from their records. The answer? Maybe.

Domestic Battery Expungement

In some cases, domestic battery is a charge that’s there to stay. If you’re convicted, law enforcement officials, the Read More

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Expungement vs. Sealing in Illinois

July 4, 2014
Expungement | Records Sealing

Expungement and sealing aren’t interchangeable terms. They both have the same goal, though: to limit or prevent other people from having access to your criminal record. There are some fundamental differences, however, and you need to know about them if you have any kind of criminal record – even if you’ve been arrested but never charged with a crime.

So what’s the difference between an expungement and a criminal record Read More

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Chicago Expungement of Juvenile Records: New Legislation to Help Young Adults

July 2, 2014
Expungement | Juvenile Crimes

Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation in early June, effectively giving a handful of Chicago adults a free pass on mistakes they made as minors. The new law automatically expunges juvenile arrest records in a limited number of cases, which can help young people move away from their past and toward a brighter future — one that doesn’t include a criminal record.

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Criminal Record Expungement in Illinois: What About Felonies?

June 20, 2014
Criminal Records | Expungement | Felonies

Criminal record expungement is a way for you to start fresh, with a clean slate – no more having to tell potential employers, landlords, or anyone else that you’ve been charged with or convicted of a crime. Many people choose to work with a Skokie expungement attorney so they can enjoy having a spotless criminal record.

But what about felonies? Do they count when it comes to criminal record expungement? Read More

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Juvenile Arrest Records: Is There Any Hope?

June 6, 2014
Arrests | Criminal Records | Juvenile Crimes

Last year, there were about 21,000 juvenile arrests in Illinois. Many of them were for small misdemeanor charges, and in Cook County, about 75 percent of these arrests don’t even result in criminal charges. The problem? Those arrests will stay on their records unless they work through the court system or call a Chicago expungement attorney to get them taken off.

So what does that mean for their futures?

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Can I Get a Marijuana Conviction Expunged in Illinois?

May 23, 2014
Convictions | Drug Crimes | Expungement

While marijuana has become legal in a handful of states, it’s not legal in Illinois – and if you’re caught with it and convicted, it’s a permanent stain on your record. That means potential employers can see it if they’re doing a background check; a marijuana conviction might also get in the way when a potential landlord checks your criminal history.

There’s still hope, though. Under the Cannabis Control Act, Read More

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The Chicago Expungement Process Explained

May 9, 2014
Expungement

The Chicago expungement process can take months, and if you’re doing it yourself, you’ll need to do a lot of research. Many people choose to work with a Chicago expungement attorney because navigating through the court system alone can be pretty intimidating.

But how does it all work? What does your lawyer have to go through to wipe the slate clean so you can start fresh?

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What’s the Difference Between a Pardon and Clemency?

April 25, 2014
Clemency | Pardons | Uncategorized

You see the terms pardon and clemency in the news from time to time, but they can be a little confusing. Sometimes they’re used interchangeably, but there are technical differences between the two that drastically affect the people they’re applied to. In our area, either of these is usually the result of a Chicago expungement lawyer’s hard work and negotiation.

What is a Pardon?

A pardon is like a fresh Read More

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Drug Charges and Getting a Job

April 11, 2014
Background Checks | Drug Crimes | Employment

Getting a job is hard enough without a past drug charge casting a shadow on your past. Fortunately, with the help of a talented Chicago expungement lawyer, you may be able to have your records locked away where potential employers won’t find them.

The Facts on Drug Charges and Employment

Statistics suggest that more than 80 percent of employers do criminal background checks on people they want to hire. Having Read More

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