If you’re like many people, you’re tired of your criminal record hanging over your head. But you may not have to live that way – you may be able to get help from a Skokie expungement lawyer.
Skokie Expungement Lawyer Matt Fakhoury
Criminal record clearing can give you the fresh start you deserve. There are two main ways to clear your criminal record: expungement and sealing.
Working With a Skokie Expungement Lawyer
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.
Working With a Skokie Sealing Lawyer
Criminal record sealing is a lot like expungement, but the main difference is that your record doesn’t completely disappear. It’s still there – it’s neither destroyed nor returned to you – but most people won’t be able to see it. However, some employers (like those in healthcare and the military), law enforcement professionals and court officials will still be able to see your record.
Do You Need to Talk to a Skokie Expungement Lawyer?
If you want to clear your criminal record through expungement or sealing, we may be able to help you. Call us at 847-920-4540 right now to tell us what your record looks like so we can let you know whether you’re eligible for either form of criminal record clearing. You can talk to a Skokie expungement lawyer for free right now – just call or fill out the form below.
