How Can Record Sealing Benefit Me?

 Posted on November 29, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Whether the conviction was for DUI, domestic battery, theft, or another offense, having a criminal conviction on your record can impact your life dramatically. A criminal record can make it difficult to find and maintain employment, pursue higher education opportunities, and secure housing. Being found guilty or pleading guilty to a crime can also harm your personal reputation, because of the social stigma associated with having a criminal record.

If you have been convicted of a crime, you may be able to have your record hidden from view through a process known as record sealing. 

What is Record Sealing? 

Record sealing and expungement are legal processes that clear criminal records. The main difference between the two is that record sealing hides your record from public view, while expungement completely destroys your record. In most cases, individuals can get a crime erased from their record through expungement if they were acquitted, pardoned, or successfully completed probation. You can also get the record of an arrest expunged if charges were never filed or if the case was dismissed. 

Most of the time, someone who is convicted of a crime cannot have the record of the crime expunged. Fortunately, however, individuals convicted of a criminal offense may qualify for record sealing. Once your record is sealed, it cannot be viewed by your friends, family, or neighbors. Furthermore, most employers, landlords, and licensing agencies cannot see the record. The conviction will not show up on a background check. To most people, it is as if the conviction never occurred. Law enforcement officers, courts, and employers requiring a fingerprint background check may still be able to view the conviction. 

Why Should I Get My Record Sealed? 

If you have a record, it can follow you around for the rest of your life. That is why it is important to take action to seal your record as soon as you are eligible. A sealed record can provide many benefits, including improved employment opportunities and housing options. Many people find that sealing their records helps them keep the past in the past and move on to a better future.  

Contact a DuPage County Record Sealing Lawyer 

If your criminal record is preventing you from moving on with your life, record sealing may be the answer. To learn more about how record sealing may benefit you, contact an experienced Naperville criminal defense attorney at J. Aldrich Law, P.C.. We have helped many clients seal their records and we are ready to help you. Call us today at 630-953-3000 to schedule a free consultation. 

Source: 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=002026300K5.2