If you’re arrested in the state of Illinois, you have a criminal record – and your arrest will stay on your record unless you take action to expunge or seal it. Whether you should or not is up to you; it’s a personal decision, and you may want to consult with a Chicago expungement attorney about your situation. 

Do I Need to Expunge an Arrest Record?

When you have a criminal record, anyone can conduct a background check and find it. That means landlords, potential employers and even creditors may have access to your criminal history. 

And although a simple arrest without charges may not seem like a big deal, many people feel that having an arrest on their record is a negative mark that shouldn’t be there. For those people, expungement is the solution. An expungement erases your criminal record (technically, the agencies that have your record are court-ordered to destroy it or return it to you) so that it’s like nothing ever happened. 

Related: An overview of expungement in Chicago

If you’re arrested and released without being charged with a crime, you’re eligible to ask the court to expunge your record right away. (Additionally, if you’re charged but the charges are dropped, or if you’re charged and found not guilty of the crime in court, you’re also eligible to ask the court to expunge your record immediately.)

If you don’t want people knowing you were ever arrested, expunging your arrest record may be the right choice for you. Remember, Illinois law says that an arrest remains on your record until you do something – even if you’re not guilty of the crime –  and the only thing you can do is ask a judge to remove it.

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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