Sealing an Adult Criminal Record

Criminal Record Sealing Attorney Illinois

Criminal Record Sealing Attorney in Illinois. Past mistakes shouldn’t have to haunt you for the rest of your life. When you’re convicted of a crime the court will give you a sentence they find appropriate. But even after justice has been served — you’ve paid the fines, done the community service or served your time — you can still be punished by having the conviction hang around on your criminal record. The Illinois criminal record sealing attorney team at Drummond Law helps people move on with their lives by getting their convictions sealed. If you’re looking for a fresh start in Illinois or anywhere in the Midwest, call a criminal record sealing attorney today at 800-842-0426 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Record Sealing or Expungement?

Expungement means having your records physically destroyed or returned to you and having your name erased from criminal databases. Record sealing makes your records confidential; the general public will not be able to see your record, but law enforcement agencies will still have access. While your Drummond Law Illinois criminal record sealing attorney recommends expungement over sealing, you cannot have a crime expunged if you were convicted (unless the conviction is reversed, vacated or pardoned) or were placed under court supervision for reckless driving if you were 25 or older at the time, driving under the influence sexual offenses against a minor. In those circumstances, you will have to request that your record be sealed.

What Records Can and Cannot Be Sealed in Illinois?

In Illinois, you can have most felony and misdemeanor convictions sealed with the help of a criminal record sealing attorney. If your conviction required you to register with the Arsonist Registration Act or the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Your Registry, your records may be sealed after you are no longer required to register. Cases where you cannot have your records sealed are:

• Minor traffic offenses
• DUIs
• Reckless driving if you were 25 or older
• Domestic battery
• Violation of an Order of Protection, Civil No-Contact Order or Stalking No-Contact Order
• Sexual offenses, such as
  • Soliciting or patronizing a prostitute
  • Public Indecency if it leads to a felony conviction
  • Any offense that required registration as a sex offender
  • Any other offense listed in 720 ILCS 5/11.
• Animal offenses, such as
  • Dogfighting
  • Class A misdemeanors under the Humane Care for Animals Act

Some convictions require a two or three year waiting period before they can be sealed, so it’s best to contact an Illinois criminal record sealing attorney to discuss your options. You cannot have more than one felony sealed, and if you are convicted of a felony after having your records sealed, the previous conviction will then be unsealed. If some of your record is eligible to be expunged or sealed and other parts are not, your criminal record sealing attorney will help you seal or expunge the eligible arrests or convictions.

How to Seal Your Criminal Record in Illinois

Like any legal process, it’s always beneficial to have a lawyer on your side. Your criminal record sealing attorney in Illinois can help you have your records sealed in 4-steps:

• Get Copies of Your Criminal Records: These can include court dispositions, RAP sheets, and/or Illinois State Police Statewide Criminal History Transcripts. Some counties provide electronic access to criminal records while others don’t; your Drummond Law criminal record sealing attorney will know how to obtain your records in your case.
• Review Your Records: As you and your Illinois criminal record sealing attorney review your records, we will advise you on which charges or convictions can be sealed or expunged.
• Fill out the Appropriate Forms: Your criminal record sealing attorney will fill out the forms for you to ensure there are no mistakes and your request won’t be denied for clerical errors.
• File Your Form with the Circuit Clerk: You’ll have to file with the county where the charges or conviction occurred. Different counties have different rules and you may have to file electronically, by mail or in person. If you are trying to seal convictions from different counties, you will have to file a separate request in each county.

Your request will not automatically be approved; a court will look at how much time has passed since the conviction, the strength of the evidence and why law enforcement agencies may be against having your records sealed. A Drummond Law criminal record sealing attorney in Illinois will help build the most robust case possible for the best chance at having your records sealed.

What if My Criminal Record Sealing Request is Denied?

If your request is denied, your criminal record sealing attorney will help you file a Motion for Reconsideration with the Circuit Clerk or a Notice of Appeal with the appellate court. There are time limits to asking for reconsideration or appeal, so it’s best to call a criminal record sealing attorney right away if your request has already been denied.

Criminal Record Sealing Attorney in Illinois | Drummond Law

Employers, potential landlords or any other member of the general public can access your criminal records, which can make finding a job or a place to live difficult. An Illinois criminal record sealing attorney at Drummond Law can get you a clean slate so you can move forward with your life. Call us today at 800-842-0426 or contact us online.