Expungement Lawyers

A criminal record can have a significant impact on your personal and professional life. If you have ever been arrested in Illinois, you likely have a criminal record that is readily accessible to the public, even if you were never found guilty of the crime. In the vast majority of cases, expungement is not automatic. This means that your employer, prospective employer, friends and family all have the ability to see your criminal past. This is true even if the case was dismissed, you were placed on court supervision, or if you were found not guilty. Background checks are used frequently by employers, educational institutions and even by former spouses (i.e. custody disputes).

Our Illinois expungement attorneys can help give you the clean slate that you deserve. We understand the consequences that a criminal record can have on your life, which is why our knowledgeable Cook County expungement lawyers will efficiently handle the expungement process from start to finish.

There are two methods that our attorneys use to help clear your criminal record from public view in Illinois: expungement and sealing. Despite what you may have heard, expungement and sealing are typically not automatic. Once you are arrested, you will likely have an arrest record regardless of the final result of your case (i.e. dismissal). A petition to expunge or a petition to seal must be filed at the proper courthouse and a court order must be signed by a judge in order to clear your criminal record.

Expungement and sealing laws are complex and the process can be confusing. Every county and courthouse in Illinois has a different set of rules, guidelines and procedures that must be followed. Hiring an experienced Chicago expungement attorney is highly recommended. By ensuring that the procedure is followed precisely, our Cook County expungement lawyers can give you the best chance at a clean record. If a hearing is required or the State contests the petition to expunge or the petition to seal, we will be prepared to argue and advocate for you before the judge in court.

Expungement and sealing laws are continuously changing and expanding. Illinois legislation has greatly expanded the number of offenses, including felony offenses, that are eligible to be expunged and sealed. All misdemeanor and felony convictions are now eligible for sealing EXCEPT for DUI, reckless driving (subject to limited exceptions), domestic battery, violations of orders of protection, sex crimes (aside from prostitution and misdemeanor public indecency), and crimes under the Humane Care for Animals Act. Our reputable Chicago expungement lawyers will determine your eligibility prior to filing our petition with the court.

We have provided additional information and the answers to many frequently asked Illinois expungement and sealing questions here.

Contact us for an initial consultation. We prefer to review any and all arrests in your past in order to determine your eligibility. The most practical way to get this information is by obtaining a copy of your entire criminal record. This way, we have all of the necessary information relating to your cases, even charges that were dismissed in court. This information should include the type of charge, case number, courthouse location, arresting police department, final disposition (i.e. dismissal, not guilty, guilty, etc.), sentence (i.e. court supervision, conditional discharge, probation, etc.), and termination date of the sentence. It may be necessary to order your records from the Illinois State Police, the county circuit clerk's office(s), and / or the arresting police department(s).

The Chicago expungement lawyers at The Davis Law Group, P.C. can evaluate your criminal record and determine if you are eligible for expungement or if you qualify for sealing. Our office primarily practices throughout Cook County, Lake County, and DuPage County. Our firm has helped hundreds of clients clean up their records. Our expungement lawyers have stayed up to date on the ongoing changes to the Illinois expungement and sealing laws. Having a knowledgeable expungement attorney on your side can make a substantial difference and increase the odds of a successful outcome.

Call our office or contact us via our website today so our Cook County expungement lawyers we can help clear your criminal record and give you a fresh start.