If you’re like many people, you’ve made mistakes in the past. Sometimes, it’s possible to apply for criminal record expungement or sealing – both of which help you get a fresh start. But Is it possible to expunge or seal a violation of an order of protection in Illinois? This guide explains.

Can You Expunge a Violation of an Order of Protection in Illinois?

You cannot expunge a violation of an order of protection in the state of Illinois if you were convicted of the crime. It must remain on your criminal record.

However, if you were only charged with violation of an order of protection and were never found guilty of committing the crime, you may expunge the arrest and clear your criminal record. That’s true about any crime for which you were arrested but never convicted.

Related: Does a criminal record stay with you forever?

Can You Seal a Violation of an Order of Protection?

Because the state of Illinois finds violations of orders of protection to be very serious crimes, you are not eligible to seal them from your criminal record. However, just like expungement, you may seal an arrest that never led to a conviction.

Will an Order of Protection Show Up on Your Criminal History?

If a judge issued an order of protection against you, that’s a civil case, not a criminal case. That means the actual order of protection will not appear on your criminal record. However, violating the order is a crime. If you have violated (or have been accused of violating) an order of protection, your arrest, charges and conviction will appear on your criminal record.

Related: How far back does a background check go?

Do You Need to Talk to an Attorney About Expungement or Sealing?

If you’re tired of your criminal past coming back to bite you, we may be able to help. Call us right now at 847-920-4540 or fill out the form below so we can talk about your case.

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