Criminal Record Expungement/Sealing

What is a Record Expungement?

When you petition to have your criminal record expunged, you are asking the court to physically destroy your record or to return the record to you, and to remove your name from any official index or public record. Expungement is only available for state, not federal, criminal records.

What is Record Sealing?

When you petition to have your criminal record sealed, you are asking the court to make it unavailable to the public and to remove your name from any official index or public record. This means that law enforcement agencies and the courts will still have access to the record, as will other entities and employers allowed by law or by court order. For example, if your employer obtains a court order, he/she may view the record. Thus, the record will still exist, but it will be much harder for governmental officials to view. Keep in mind, however, that since sealing your record removes it from the public record, your employer will have no reason to become suspicious of your criminal history and obtain a court order to view it.

For further details, please contact The Law Offices of Azita M. Mojarad, P.C.