Can a Conviction Be Removed From a Record?

If you’ve ever been in legal trouble, there’s a good chance that you’ve wondered whether a conviction can be removed from a record – and you’re not alone. The Illinois Criminal Identification Act, which allows some arrests, supervision and probation records to be expunged (completely erased) covers a few ways you can clear a criminal record, including expungement and sealing.

Can a Conviction Be Removed From a Record?

You can’t remove a conviction from your criminal record, with very few exceptions (such as honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who were convicted of specific Class 3 and Class 4 felonies and some juvenile cases). However, you could be eligible for criminal record sealing.

Check your eligibility for criminal record expungement now.)

What is Criminal Record Sealing?

Criminal record sealing is similar to expungement in that it prevents the general public from seeing some or all of your record. However, with expungement, the records are destroyed or returned to you; in sealing, the records still exist and can be accessed by law enforcement personnel, the military and a handful of other agencies (such as those that need to see criminal records to make a hiring decision, like hospitals and nursing homes).

Once you have petitioned (asked) the court to have your criminal records sealed, the state’s attorney has the chance to object or let the court know they’re okay with it. If the state’s attorney objects, you might be entitled to a hearing where your Chicago criminal record sealing lawyer can speak on your behalf.

Do You Need to Talk to a Lawyer About Expungement or Sealing?

If you need to talk to an attorney about criminal record expungement or sealing, we can help. Call us at 847-920-4540 or get in touch with us online to talk about clearing your criminal record today.