expungement

Unless you’re a New Jersey attorney, the patterns of the justice system might be unfamiliar to you. Typically, you are first accused of an unlawful act. Then, if you’re arrested, you will be entered into the “System.” This alone is not great news. What’s worse is that by the time you’ve gone through the necessary steps to clear your name, your record could be affected.

Your major priority should be to have your record expunged if your case is eligible. Expungement means that specific charges are removed from your record. As a result, expungement is important because a conviction often cements the details of your case. Details can include the why and how of the accusation(s), along with an apprehension, arrest, and so forth—all of which will then be up for grabs for any future legal interactions. Law enforcement and court files will have your case on hand. You never know when these particulars could come back to haunt you.

Beyond being a stressful period of your life, you might not think a “bad” record has any teeth left to cut you. For one thing, you’re planning on never getting into this situation again. There will be no repeat offenses in your future, you say. But here’s the truth: a marked record can affect other aspects of your life.

Meaningful Employment

Attempts to find or keep a job might be at risk whenever you have an arrest or other offenses on your record. Employers might find this information during the application process or through other channels. Word-of-mouth spreads easily, after all. Regardless of how they discover it, at some point your employer(s) will find out. Meaningful employment often depends on a clean record.

However, this doesn’t mean that record blemishes always result in termination. Sometimes bosses will let your past slide, depending on your position. You might get by with a bruised ego, but no real fallout. Unfortunately, hoping for the best can only get you so far. There are plenty of stories where the end result isn’t so hopeful: long-time employees let go due to an arrest record, or they never get the chance to become a long-term worker to begin with. Either way, these are not positive outcomes.

An expunged record allows for more job security and opportunities. According to New Jersey Code 2C:52-1, expungement can clear certain legal records. Like most legal cases, this isn’t always a guarantee, so you might need legal counsel to set things straight. For instance, when you can and should apply for expungement might be confusing. The opportunity to clear your record isn’t something you want to lose just because you misunderstood the rules.

This is where attorney Leon Matchin comes in. He will cover the ins and outs of your case to see where you stand and what options might be available. His professional advice can clarify whether you are eligible for expungement, and how soon you need to move. This isn’t a scenario that you want to figure out with a basic Google search. There are too many factors at stake. If you live in New Jersey, call 732-887-2479 now to determine eligibility.

expungement

Repeat Offenses in New Jersey

Being a repeat offender isn’t all that uncommon. For example, even the most upstanding New Jersey citizens can find themselves in unavoidable legal trouble. Basically, having good behavior 90% of the time doesn’t mean that an arrest or charge won’t happen again, and sometimes an un-expunged record can hurt your defense.

This is not a bleak outlook, though—just a prepared one. You should be aware of probable legal situations even if the chances are slim. This is especially the case if your past record pertains to these new charges. Each legal case is different, but it’s better to be safe and attempt to have your record expunged before you end up in this dilemma.

Consult with the Law Offices of Leon Matchin, LLC. New Jersey attorney Matchin can determine if you’re eligible for expungement. Depending on the charges, the waiting period can be between no wait to a wait that is years long. Repeat offenders can benefit from record expungement and ensure that your past can’t be used against you in the future.  

You Might Be Eligible for Expungement 

You want to try for expungement if your record is at stake. Attorney Leon Matchin is certified by the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey as a Municipal Court Trial attorney. In order to have your record expunged, you might need to appear in court. It’d be wise to have a New Jersey attorney like Leon Matchin there with you during the expungement process to help you navigate the situation.

Having a clean record can help keep you out of trouble in both your daily life and at work. Plus, who wants to have a marred record–one that could’ve been avoided–hanging over their head? Get this process started before you miss any deadlines. Your record is serious business.

An expunged record is a closure of sorts. If you currently find yourself on the brink of a marked record, or are unsure of what the patterns of the American justice system mean for you, then act now. All New Jersey citizens have a right to know where they stand.

Call today to discuss your case, or go here for vlogs, testimonials, and advice that can help your situation make sense. Ultimately, you’ll want to go over every detail of your case with an expert. New Jersey attorney Leon Matchin is experienced and ready to increase your chances of expungement.