If you’re feeling burdened by your criminal record, there may be a solution. You might be able to get help from a Skokie expungement lawyer to address the issue and find relief.

Criminal record clearing can give you the fresh start you deserve. There are two main ways to clear your criminal record: expungement and sealing.

Even years after you were arrested, charged with or convicted of a crime, your record can prevent you from getting a job, finding a decent place to live, or even from obtaining credit. Your record will show up on background checks – and people will be able to see your entire criminal history.

Unfortunately, your record can prevent you from following opportunities that could give you a brighter future.

Expungement is the process of erasing your criminal record. If a judge agrees that you deserve a fresh start, your criminal records will be destroyed or returned to you – and it’s like they never even existed. You don’t have to tell anyone that you had a criminal past, and nobody will ever know.

However, not everyone is eligible for expungement. It’s not about you, personally, though. It’s about the offenses on your record. Here’s what you need to know before you hire a Skokie expungement lawyer:

• You cannot expunge a conviction (with the exception of honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been convicted of certain crimes)
• You cannot expunge records from another state – to do so, you have to work through that state

You can only expunge records if:

• You were found not guilty
• You were acquitted
• The charges were dismissed
• The conviction was vacated or reversed
• Your disposition says Stricken with Leave (SOL), Finding of No Probable Cause (FNPC), Nolle Proseque (NP), No Charge Filed, Supervision, TASC Probation, or section 10, 410 or 70

If you don’t qualify for expungement because your record doesn’t fit into these categories, you still have hope. Many people who don’t qualify for expungement still qualify for criminal record sealing.

Criminal record sealing is similar to expungement, but with a key difference: your record doesn’t completely disappear. Instead, it remains on file but is hidden from most people. However, certain employers, such as those in healthcare and the military, as well as law enforcement professionals and court officials, will still have access to it.

If you’re looking to clear your criminal record through expungement or sealing, we can help. Call us at 847-920-4540 to discuss your record and determine your eligibility for either option. Speak with a Skokie expungement lawyer for free and get your life back today!