Getting a job is hard enough without a past drug charge casting a shadow on your past. Fortunately, with the help of a talented Chicago expungement lawyer, you may be able to have your records locked away where potential employers won’t find them.

The Facts on Drug Charges and Employment

Statistics suggest that more than 80 percent of employers do criminal background checks on people they want to hire. Having a drug charge can be bad news, particularly if you’re looking for a security position, a job that requires constant mental alertness (including factory work and construction), and just about any other job.

Getting Rid of Your Record

The last thing you want is for a potential employer to pick someone else for the job because they found a criminal drug charge in your past.

While expungement isn’t a solution for everyone, you may be able to have your record cleaned up – at least enough that most potential employers won’t be able to see drug crimes. Expunging your record isn’t a universal solution, either; some things can’t be expunged, and some potential employers (such as the military and law enforcement) may still be able to see sealed records.

How to Have Drug Charges Expunged

In most cases, it’s a good idea to talk with an attorney to determine whether you’re eligible for expungement. Even if you are not, you might still be able to have your records sealed. Your lawyer will file a petition on your behalf; from there, you may need to appear at a hearing to explain why you deserve to have your records expunged or sealed.

Once the court approves your petition, your lawyer can send the order to the Illinois State Police and the agency that arrested you. While this process can take quite some time, it’s worth a shot – especially if you’re having a hard time finding a job because of mistakes you made in the past.