Chicago, IL Expungement Lawyer

Experienced Attorney Helping With Expungement and Criminal Record Sealing in Chicago, Illinois

A criminal record can follow you long after a case has been resolved, creating problems that could limit the opportunities available to you. Even arrests that never led to a conviction can appear on background checks, causing harm to your reputation and leading to difficulties in your personal and professional life. Fortunately, Illinois law allows many people to clear their records through expungement or record sealing, offering a chance for a fresh start.

At Miranda Law Office, LTD, we help clients in Chicago navigate the expungement and sealing process, working to ensure that they can remove the weight of past mistakes from their lives. Attorney Miguel Miranda has over 20 years of experience in multiple types of criminal cases, and he understands the importance of clearing your record so you can move forward with confidence. We offer services in English and Spanish to ensure that you will have the supportive representation you need as you address these issues.

How a Criminal Record Can Affect Your Life

Even a single entry on your criminal record can create significant challenges, affecting areas of your life such as:

  • Employment: Employers often reject applicants with any criminal history. Even arrests that did not result in convictions could make you ineligible for certain jobs.
  • Housing: Landlords may deny applications based on background checks, or your criminal record could affect your ability to secure a home loan.
  • Education: Colleges and universities sometimes consider criminal records when reviewing applicants. You could be prevented from pursuing the opportunities that would allow you to advance in your career.
  • Professional Licensing: Professional boards may deny or revoke licenses for people who have a criminal history.

Expungement or sealing can eliminate these barriers and provide peace of mind. Knowing that records of your involvement with law enforcement will no longer be accessible to the public can help ensure that you will be able to take advantage of the opportunities available to you.

What Is Expungement?

Expungement removes entries from your criminal record as if they never occurred. Once a record is expunged, it is erased from public view, and it will no longer appear on background checks. Even law enforcement agencies are restricted from accessing expunged records, and in most cases, records will be destroyed or deleted.

What Is Record Sealing?

If you are ineligible for expungement, you may be able to have certain records sealed. This will not erase the record, but it will restrict access to certain information. Sealed records are hidden from most employers, landlords, and members of the public, but can still be seen by law enforcement, courts, and certain licensing agencies. In many cases, sealing offers the same practical benefits as expungement.

Eligibility for Expungement and Record Sealing in Illinois

Expungement is usually available in situations where criminal charges did not result in a conviction. If you were arrested but were not charged with a crime, records related to your arrest may be expunged. You may also qualify for expungement if your case was dismissed, if you were found not guilty, or if you were able to avoid a conviction through court supervision or first-offense probation in drug possession cases.

For cases that resulted in a conviction or are not eligible for expungement, record sealing may be available. Most misdemeanor convictions can be sealed, and certain felony offenses may also be eligible for sealing. Before you can request record sealing, you must have completed your sentence, including any terms of probation, as well as a waiting period of three to five years.

There are certain offenses that cannot be expunged or sealed, including convictions for:

The Expungement and Sealing Process

Applying for expungement or sealing involves several steps:

  1. Obtain Your Criminal History: You will need a copy of your arrest record and court dispositions for each case.
  2. Determine Eligibility: Our attorney can review your record with you to identify which entries can be expunged or sealed.
  3. File a Petition: Submit a petition for expungement or sealing in the circuit court of the county where the case was handled.
  4. Attend a Hearing (if required): A court hearing may be scheduled where a judge will consider objections from prosecutors or law enforcement. You may also be asked questions and given the opportunity to explain why you believe you qualify for expungement or sealing.
  5. Judge's Decision: If granted, the court will order the records to be expunged or sealed, and agencies will be notified to remove or restrict access to the records.

Contact Our Chicago, Illinois Expungement Attorney

If you are ready to leave your criminal record behind and start fresh, Miranda Law Office, LTD can help. We will make sure you follow the correct steps when applying for expungement or sealing, and we will advocate for the fresh start you deserve. Contact our Chicago expungement and record sealing lawyer at 773-588-3822 to discuss your case in a confidential consultation and learn how we can help you clear your record.