Bloomington Expungement Attorney

A felony or misdemeanor criminal arrest or conviction can have lasting consequences. Importantly for most people, it can impair your ability to get a job. Even in cases where you were only arrested and the charges were later dropped or you were found not guilty, the public record will still remain. That means that it will still show up on most background checks done by employers.

Depending on the type of arrest or charge that you had, you may be able to have your record wiped clean.

There are two basic methods for dealing with a criminal record, expunging and sealing. Getting a record expunged or sealed requires the filing of a petition with the court and a hearing in front of a judge.

Expunging Your Record

An expungement is the actual wiping off of an incident on your record. It is the most effective and complete method as it totally removes a mark from the public record. This means that you no longer have to disclose the incident when asked by an employer because it is as if the incident never took place.

Sealing Your Record

If something does not qualify for expungement it may still qualify to be sealed. Sealing prevents a record from being released to non law-enforcement. The mark still remains on your record but it will no longer show up on an employer background check.

Common Myths About Expungement And Sealings

Myth #1: An arrest where the charges were later dropped will automatically be removed from my record.

Fact: Arrests do not automatically drop from your record. If you wish to have an arrest removed you must petition the court to do so.

Myth #2: I was told that since I successfully completed court supervision that I would not have a criminal record.

Fact: While successfully completing court supervision keeps you from having a conviction on your record, the arrest and charge will still show up on your record.

Felony Arrests And Records

Most felony arrests and convictions cannot be expunged or sealed. There are some exceptions:

→ Class 4 felony drug possession under Section 4 of the Cannabis Control Act

→ Felony arrests not resulting in a conviction may be expunged if you have no other convictions on your record.

Criminal Convictions Can Have Lasting Effects

Being arrested and charged with any criminal offense can have a serious effect on all areas of your life. Even if the charges were dropped and you were released from jail, your public record will likely still show the criminal offense. In the event of anyone doing a background check on you, such as a potential employer or a landlord, you may find yourself being overlooked or automatically disqualified because of your offense. Why go through this trouble when it may be possible for petition for expungement in Illinois? If you would like to learn more about this now, call a Bloomington expungement attorney from Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols.

By going through the process of an expungement, your criminal record may be erased. If you’ve been charged with a felony or misdemeanor, but the charges were dropped, or you fulfilled the obligations of the court following a sentencing, it may be possible to expunge your record. 

Cases We May Be Able to Get Expunged

As a Bloomington expungement attorney, we handle a broad range of cases that involve qualifying offenses. The following is a brief explanation of convictions that may be expunged or sealed. If you do not see your offense, please call an expungement attorney in Bloomington. 

• Felony Conviction Expungement
• Misdemeanor Conviction Expungement
• Expungement of an Infraction
• Sealing of Arrest Records
• Expunging DUI Arrests 
• Juvenile Record Set Aside
• Juvenile Record Sealing
• A Legal Certificate of Rehabilitation

In general, people with violent offenses or sex offenses will not be eligible for expungement. 

Do You Qualify for Expungement?

To qualify for expungement, assuming you were found guilty of the offense, you will likely need to meet the following criteria,

• You were given probation
• You completed the probation
• You completed any community service, classes, or programs
• You have not been arrested, charged, or convicted of any offense while on probation
• You have no pending charges
• You are not on probation for another case

If you meet these criteria, you may be eligible for an expungement. However, as a Bloomington expungement attorney might explain, it will likely be up to the judge to make the final decision. 

Who May Be Able to Access Your Criminal Record

As a Bloomington expungement attorney might tell you, there once was a time in which accessing criminal records was usually only done by employers, investigators, or other relevant parties. Today, due to the internet and the Freedom of Information Act, many documents can be accessed with a phone or computer, by anyone. If this is not something you are comfortable with, you should ask a Bloomington expungement attorney to help you to get your record expunged or sealed. 

There are many benefits to having your record expunged or sealed. If you are considering this as an adult or juvenile, call a Bloomington expungement attorney, from Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols, for help and advice. 

If you need an expungement lawyer in central Illinois or the greater Woodford, Tazewell, Peoria, or McLean county area give us a call at 309-467-3213. Or if you prefer you can send us an email. We have affordable flat rates on expungements. Offices in Bloomington-Normal and Eureka.