How Do You Know if You’re Eligible for Expungement?

If you’re like most people in Chicago, Skokie or Rolling Meadows who have a criminal record – even if it’s just an old arrest that never led to any charges – you want to know if you’re eligible for expungement. Expungement clears your criminal record completely; your records are either destroyed or returned to you, so there’s nothing there for anyone to see.

So how do you know if you’re eligible for expungement?

Here’s what you need to know.

How Do You Know if You’re Eligible for Expungement?
First things first: You can always call us to find out whether you’re eligible for expungement. We’re available at 847-920-4540. Tell us about your record and we’ll help you determine whether you’re eligible for it – and if you’re not, we’ll let you know if you’re eligible for criminal record sealing instead. (Sealing means that most people won’t ever be able to see your criminal record, but you’ll still have a record that’s available to some employers, law enforcement and the courts.)

Related: Felony expungement in Illinois

To find out if you’re eligible for expungement, ask yourself:

  • Was I found “not guilty”?
  • Did the state dismiss the charges against me?
  • Was I sentenced to supervision after a conviction?
  • Did I successfully complete my supervision?

If you can answer yes to those questions, you could be eligible for expungement. However, there are other factors that can determine your eligibility – including the type of crime you committed (if you committed one). For many people, the best thing to do is talk to a Chicago expungement attorney who understands the law and what it allows people to expunge.