Sealing Criminal Charges Permanently

There are two ways to permanently remove criminal charges from your record. One is sealing and the other is expunging. State laws play a role in what can and can't be taken off of your record. However, having a charge of some type on your record can affect the type of job you can obtain. If you can seal records, do it as promptly as you can.

Sealing Vs. Expungment

Sealing criminal charges only keeps them from being available to the general public. Law enforcement and district attorney's offices can still see what you've been charged with in the past. It's advantageous to being able to obtain jobs going forward as you don't have to reveal to a potential employer that you have a record. They simply won't be able to find it. You won't have to worry about it haunting you unless you get into trouble again with the law.

Expunging is where your record is completely removed from the system. No one will be able to find a trace of it anywhere whether they be law enforcement or an employer. It may be more difficult to obtain one depending on the laws in your state. The state may feel that you need to wear a sign of shame for the rest of your life because you were found guilty of something as minor as a misdemeanor. However, some records may not qualify for expungement, requiring a sealing instead.

What To Expect During the Sealing Process

All states are different in how they handle sealing criminal charges. It's best to search for laws regarding your state before moving forward. Have all of your court records and any associated paperwork ready. You will need them for entering on the forms. After filing the request for sealing, the forms move their way through the courts and attorney's offices, as well as the jurisdiction where the arrest happened. It's not a rapid process and needs patience to wait for a result. Provided all requirements are satisfied, your records will be sealed for the rest of your life, never to be accessed again by the general public.

Using a Lawyer to Seal Your Records

It's possible to go through the sealing process without a lawyer, but it's not advisable. You'll have better results in having your criminal charges sealed for good by utilizing an attorney experienced with sealing records. They understand how the state laws will apply to your situation and provide you with a realistic view of what to expect.