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Having a record can dramatically affect your life. It reduces your odds of getting accepted into higher education programs or receiving a loan. It can even prevent you from getting a job if your employer runs a background check. But these struggles don’t have to follow you around for life. With an expungement attorney, you could wipe your record clean and improve your status. While not everyone is eligible for expungement, those who are can clean up their records and improve their lives.
Types of Expungements Available and How an Expungement Attorney Can Help
If you were not charged or convicted for a non-expungable indictable offense, you may be eligible to clean up your record. There are a few different types of expungement, depending on your conviction status, the type of offense committed, and any special rulings during your trial or hearings.
Immediate Expungement
If you were arrested for a crime but not convicted, the arrest will still show up on your record. While a non-conviction isn’t as deterring to financial institutions or employers, it can still reflect negatively on you and delay or impede your life. Your expungement attorney can help you apply for expungement as soon as your trial is over to immediately clear your record.
Expedited Expungement
For most offenses, you’ll need to wait a few years before you can expunge your record. But if you completed any diversionary program such as Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI), conditional dismissal, or Conditional Discharge program, the waiting time is typically reduced to six months. These programs are often offered to first-time offenders and work to help reduce the chances of repeat offenses. If you complete them successfully, you can get your record expunged more quickly to help improve your life.
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Town Ordinance Violation Expungement
If you were convicted of a town ordinance violation, you can apply for expungement after two years.
Disorderly and Petty Disorderly Offenses Expungement
If you were convicted of a disorderly or petty disorderly offense, you would typically have to wait five years before you can have the offense expunged. However, if you can prove good cause for relief, you may be able to apply for expungement after only three years. An individual may expunge at least three disorderly persons convictions from their record.
Indictable Offense Expungement
If you were convicted of an indictable offense, and it is not one of the non-expungable offenses, you can expect to have to wait up to ten years before you can clear it from your record. However, with the help of an expungement attorney in N.J., you may be able to apply for expungement after only five years.
Expungement Eligibility
In order to apply for expungement, you have to meet certain criteria. First of all, your conviction must be for an expungable offense. Secondly, you must wait for the required time as indicated in your conviction. The waiting period starts from the date the judge imposes the sentence, the date all your fines are satisfied, after the successful completion of parole/probation, or the date you complete your prison term (whichever comes last). Once the proper time has passed, you must then file an expungement petition. You file this in the court where your sentence was ruled.
Do You Need an Attorney to Get an Expungement?
While having a lawyer present is not required, it’s a good idea to seek the help of an expungement attorney. The expungement process can get complicated, especially if you’re trying to expunge multiple offenses. Working with a lawyer can help you navigate the process and ensure you have all the steps completed and documentation filled out to ensure a quick and successful expungement.
Does Expungement Really Clean Up Your Record?
Once you successfully have an offense expunged from your record, it won’t show up in a background check. When asked if you’ve been arrested or convicted of a crime, you can legally answer no after an expungement. The only time you will need to disclose your expungement is when applying for jobs in or dealing with certain situations regarding law enforcement, corrections, and the judiciary process.
Where to Find an Expungement Attorney in N.J.
If you were arrested or convicted of a crime, it can drastically affect your life. But you don’t have to just sit back and let it ruin your future. Attorney Leon Matchin is an experienced and trained expungement attorney in N.J. His years of knowledge working with N.J. law allow him to help you navigate the expungement process. If you think you may be eligible for expungement, call Attorney Matchin today at 732-887-2479. You can also email him at [email protected] to schedule a consultation about your case.
