Do I have a criminal record if my case was dismissed?
Yes, you do!
Here’s what you need to know.
Do I Have a Criminal Record if My Case Was Dismissed?
A lot of people are surprised to find out that they have a criminal record after having a case dismissed. That’s because the police and the court system both keep track of every case that comes through their files – and arrests and court cases stay there unless you actively take steps to remove them.
How to Remove Dismissed Cases From Your Criminal Record
If your arrest didn’t result in criminal charges, you don’t have to keep it on your record. Likewise, if your case was dismissed, it doesn’t need to stay on your record. To get rid of it and get a clean start, you may want to explore criminal record expungement or criminal record sealing.
What is Criminal Record Expungement?
Expungement is a complete reset. Your criminal record is destroyed or returned to you, which means it no longer exists in the court’s (or the police’s) files. It’s like it never even happened – and even if you have to fill out a job application, you can leave the box that says “Have you ever been arrested?” blank. Nobody can see your record… because it doesn’t exist.
What is Criminal Record Sealing?
Criminal record sealing is like expungement in that nobody can see your criminal record, but it doesn’t disappear. It’s simply blocked from public view. Law enforcement, judicial officers and some employers (like hospitals and the military) can still see it. Landlords and ordinary employers won’t see it, though; it’s not going to come up on a standard background check. Your records still exist.
How Do You Know if You’re Eligible for Expungement or Sealing?
What felonies can be sealed in Illinois? If you’re like most people, you’ve wondered the same thing – and although you know you’re not eligible for expungement, you could still be eligible for criminal record sealing.
Sealing means your record is hidden from the general public. If your record is sealed, it’ll still be available to law enforcement and people working in the court system, and it’ll be available to
Domestic violence – what Illinois law technically calls domestic battery – goes on your permanent criminal record. But can you expunge a domestic violence charge in Illinois? Here’s what you need to know.
Can You Expunge a Domestic Violence Charge in Illinois?
Whether you can expunge domestic violence from your criminal record depends on whether:
You were arrested but not charged with the crime of domestic battery
If you’re like many people, you want to know: Do I qualify for expungement in Illinois?
The good news is that many people do qualify for expungement in Illinois – but only some records and offenses can be cleared from your record. Here’s what you need to know.
Do I Qualify for Expungement in Illinois?
You might qualify for immediate expungement if you were arrested and released with no charges,
