If you have forgery charges – or a forgery conviction – on your Illinois criminal record, there’s good news: You may be eligible to seal it so that landlords, employers and others can’t see it when they conduct a criminal background check on you. Here’s the scoop on sealing forgery charges and convictions in Illinois.
Can You Seal Forgery Charges on Your Criminal Record in Illinois?
In the state of Illinois, forgery is usually a Class 3 felony (though it can be classified differently, depending on the circumstances). Because it’s a non-violent felony, you may be eligible to seal it from your criminal record.
That means if you have a forgery conviction on your record, you may be able to ask the court to make that record private – that way, prospective employers, landlords and other people who conduct criminal background checks on you won’t be able to see it.
Related: Sealing a reckless driving conviction in Illinois
What About Forgery Charges?
If you were arrested for or charged with forgery but never convicted, you may be eligible to expunge the charges from your record. As long as there’s been some type of resolution in your case – such as a finding of not guilty or the charges being dropped – the case may qualify for expungement. Expungement means that your record is destroyed or returned to you. Essentially, it’s completely erased; it’s like nothing ever happened. (You can’t expunge a case that hasn’t been resolved yet, though.)
Related: Can you seal a conviction for patronizing a prostitute in Illinois?
How Do You Seal a Forgery Conviction in Illinois?
Many people choose to work with a Chicago expungement and sealing lawyer to seal forgery convictions in Illinois. That’s because sealing a criminal record requires you to go through several steps – including determining whether you’re eligible and filling out (and filing) a significant amount of paperwork.
If you want to find out whether your forgery conviction qualifies for criminal record sealing, call our office. We’ll be happy to give you a free case review and tell you what your options are – including whether your record is eligible for sealing or expungement.
Do You Need to Talk to a Lawyer About Expunging or Sealing Your Criminal Record?
If you need to speak with an attorney about clearing your criminal record, we may be able to help you. Call us at 847-920-4540 now or fill out the form below for a free consultation.
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