If you’re like many people with felony criminal histories, you’re looking for a fresh start – you’re sick of your criminal record hanging over your head. Fortunately, Illinois law allows you to seal some Class 4 felonies. Although sealing is different from expungement, it has almost the same effect: Your criminal record will no longer be available to the general public, and it won’t come up in standard criminal background checks.
So what Class 4 felonies can you seal in Illinois? Here’s what you need to know.
What Class 4 Felonies Can You Seal in Illinois?
First things first: You can always seal arrests that never resulted in charges, dismissals, acquittals, findings of no probable cause, and convictions that have been vacated or reversed. It doesn’t matter why the police picked you up or what you were tried for – if you had any of those outcomes, you can seal (or expunge) them from your criminal record.
Related: What to look for when you expunge your Illinois criminal record
With that said, most felony convictions can be sealed. That means if you were tried in court and found guilty, you could be eligible to seal these Class 4 felonies from your Illinois criminal record:
- Deceptive practices
- Forgery
- Offenses under the Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act
- Offenses under the Steroid Control Act
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Possession of burglary tools
- Possession of cannabis
- Prostitution
- Retail theft
- Theft
Related: 7 criminal offenses you can never seal in Illinois
What Happens if You Seal a Class 4 Felony in Illinois?
If you seal a Class 4 felony in Illinois, the general public will no longer be able to see it on your criminal record. In fact, it’ll only come up in fingerprint-based background checks. Some people will still be able to see your record, such as those working in law enforcement and court officials. Additionally, some employers may still see it (such as healthcare providers that conduct fingerprint-based background checks). But it’s not going to come up when your next landlord runs a report, for example.
Do You Need to Talk to an Attorney About Sealing a Class 4 Felony on Your Illinois Criminal Record?
If you need to talk to a lawyer about sealing a Class 4 felony on your Illinois criminal record, we’re here to help. Call us at 847-920-4540 right now for a free case review. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and let you know whether you’re eligible for criminal record sealing in Illinois.
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