Having a criminal record hanging over your head for the rest of your life doesn’t sound that great, does it? That record can prevent you from getting a job, finding a good place to live, or even from getting credit – so for most people, the best thing to do is explore expungement and criminal record sealing. But is getting your record expunged worth it?
Here’s what you need to know.
Is Getting Your Record Expunged Worth It?
For the vast majority of people who are eligible for criminal record expungement, the process is definitely worth it. Having a clean record means that you never have to tell an employer you were arrested for a crime; it means you don’t have to tell prospective landlords or creditors, either.
In that way, getting your record expunged is definitely worth it.
However, some people aren’t eligible for expungement. Under Illinois law, you can only expunge arrests, charges and court cases that didn’t result in a conviction (meaning that a court didn’t find you guilty) with very few exceptions, such as those for veterans convicted of certain Class 3 or Class 4 felonies.
Don’t lose hope, though. If you aren’t eligible for expungement, you may still be eligible for criminal record sealing. Sealing is a lot like expungement, but it doesn’t completely erase your criminal record like an expungement does. Instead, it limits the public from seeing it. Some people can still see the record, like police officers and court officials (as well as some employers, such as those that require a fingerprint-based background check) – but most people will never even know it’s there.
What to Do to Clear Your Criminal Record
If you’re thinking about criminal record clearing, either through expungement or sealing, it’s a good idea to find out whether you qualify first. You can do that by calling us at 847-920-4540 or by downloading our free e-book, The Complete Guide to Criminal Record Expungement and Sealing, which has all the information you need to start moving forward.
Do You Need to Talk to an Attorney About Clearing Your Record?
We may be able to help you clear your criminal record. Call us at 847-920-4540 now for a free case review.
If you’re expunging your criminal record in Illinois, you must first make sure you’re eligible. So what do you look for on your record to determine whether you’re eligible for criminal record clearing?
Here’s what you need to know.
Expunging Your Record? Here’s What to Look For
When you talk to a Chicago expungement attorney about clearing your criminal record, you’ll need a complete copy of your record. If you
Clearing your criminal record through sealing gives you a fresh start – it means that most people will never be able to see your history through a regular background check. However, there are seven criminal offenses you can never seal in Illinois; they must stay on your criminal record forever unless you receive a pardon from the governor or they’re vacated or reversed.
If you’re like many people, you’ve heard the popular myth that your criminal record clears after seven years.
But it’s just that: A myth.
Does Your Criminal Record Clear After 7 Years?
When you have a criminal record, it lasts forever unless you take action and work through official channels to clear it. There’s no seven-year “dropoff” period in which a criminal record is erased.
