If you’re an honorably discharged veteran of any branch of the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible to petition for a certificate of eligibility for expungement—even if you’ve been convicted of a Class 3 or Class 4 felony.
Not all veterans are eligible, and not all Class 3 and Class 4 felonies apply. However, if you may be eligible, it could be worth talking to a Chicago expungement lawyer about the circumstances of your case.
Veterans Eligible for Criminal Record Expungement in Chicago
You can find an exhaustive list of Class 3 and Class 4 felonies here. Regardless of your veteran status, you can’t apply for expungement for a sex offense, a violent crime, domestic violence, or a gun crime.
What Do You Need to Expunge Your Record Under a Veterans Program?
You’ll need your Department of Defense Form 214, or DD-214 to prove your service in the military. (If you don’t have a copy of yours, you can get one for free from the National Archives Veterans’ Records Service or the eVetRecs system to request a copy online.
Provide your documentation to your attorney, who will then petition the court for you to expunge your criminal record. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board will examine your case, and if the board members decide to grant your request, your record will be cleared.
If the board declines your request, you’ll have to wait four years before you can apply for expungement again.
Are You a Veteran Who Needs Criminal Record Expungement?
If you’re a military veteran with a criminal record, we may be able to help you get a new start. Call us at 847-920-4540 right away for a free case review. We’ll start building a strategy that gets you the best possible outcome.
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