If you’re like many people who have sex offenses on an Illinois criminal record, you’re wondering if they’ll remain on your record forever – so can you expunge sex offenses in Illinois? Here’s what you need to know.
Can You Expunge Sex Offenses From Your Criminal Record in Illinois?
You cannot expunge the vast majority of sex offenses from your criminal record in Illinois. Any crime that requires you to register as a sex offender must remain on your record.
However, there is an exception: If you were charged with a sex crime and never convicted, you can expunge it from your record.
You must never have been convicted of the sex crime in order to expunge it from your record.
That means you can expunge the sex offense if:
- You were arrested and released with no charges
- You were charged, but the charges were dropped
- You were charged, went to court, and the court found you not guilty of a sex crime
Related: What should you ask a lawyer about expungement?
Can You Seal a Sex Crime on Your Criminal Record in Illinois?
You cannot seal any crime that requires you to register as a sex offender unless it never resulted in a conviction. If you were convicted, you cannot expunge or seal it from your record.
Sex crimes that require you to register as a sex offender are among a handful of offenses that you can never expunge from your record. Other offenses that must remain on your record forever include:
- Animal care crimes
- Crimes that require you to register as an arsonist
- Domestic battery
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Most violent crimes, including homicide
Related: Can you expunge dog fighting from your criminal record in Illinois?
Do You Need to Talk to a Lawyer About Clearing Your Criminal Record?
Just because there are some things you can’t seal or expunge, that doesn’t mean your whole criminal record has to stay the way it is forever. You may still be eligible to expunge or seal other offenses.
Call our office at 847-920-4540 right now for a free case review. We’ll ask about what’s on your record and let you know whether your past offenses qualify for expungement or sealing.
