Understanding Expungement in Illinois

 Posted on August 18,2019 in Criminal Defense

If you have been arrested for a serious crime, it is important to understand the way in which a conviction could ultimately impact your life. Not only do most convictions come with significant fines, potential loss of driving privileges, and even possible jail-time, but the longer-term ramifications of a conviction should not be understated. Having even a misdemeanor charge on your criminal record can drastically alter your ability to find employment, get loan approval, and secure housing opportunities. If you and your family are suffering due to the lingering ramifications of a criminal conviction, it is time to speak with a skilled attorney regarding the possibility of obtaining expungement or having your criminal records sealed.

What Is Expungement?

Due to the fact that criminal records are public knowledge, a prior arrest can hamper the well-being of yourself and your family. A college admissions board, a potential landlord, or a loan expert could all gain access to your criminal record and let your prior court proceedings impact their decision-making process. Because of this, many people seek to have charges erased from their criminal record or sealed from public view, this process is known as expungement.

It should be noted, that expungement is not always possible. In order to be eligible for expungement, one must have completed court supervision or probation period. Unfortunately, even in some cases in which issues with the initial conviction lead to an acquittal or no charges being filed there can still be a mark placed on your criminal record, fortunately, those clients are likely eligible for expungement. If you work with your attorney to challenge the initial conviction in your case and successfully appeal, you still may need to have the charges expunged from your record. It should be noted, that some crimes, including driving under the influence or committing sexual crimes towards a minor, are not eligible for expungement.

Contact a Skilled Will County Expungement Lawyer

At the Law Office of Patricia Magaña, our top priority is protecting the best interest of our clients. We fully recognize that everyone makes mistakes, and firmly believe that no person should face lifelong challenges due to a conviction that occurred years ago. Attorney Magaña has assisted countless clients throughout the entirety of the expungement process and is confident in her ability to represent you. Attorney Magaña is also pleased to offer bi-lingual consultations to Spanish speaking clients. To schedule a complimentary initial consultation with a knowledgeable Will County criminal defense professional, call us today at 630-448-2001.

Sources

https://www2.illinois.gov/osad/Expungement/Documents/Adult%20Exp/ExpungementSealing_GettingStarted_Approved.pdf