Understanding New Jersey’s New Expungement Law
On October 1, 2018, New Jersey’s new expungement law will take effect. The purpose of the law is to make it easier for people to expunge criminal records more easily, particularly when these records are in the distant past.
Criminal Record Expungement In New Jersey
Highlights of the new expungement law in New Jersye include:
- Lowering the waiting period for expungement from 10 years to 6 years. In some cases, the waiting period can be lowered to 5 years.
- Increasing the number of convictions for “disorderly persons” or “petty disorderly persons” from three to four for many individuals.
- Eliminating rules preventing expungement if a person has had criminal charges dismissed after successfully completing a diversion program. Now, a person can succeed in a diversion program, have a charge dismissed, and still have other convictions expunged.
- Lowering the waiting period for expunging juvenile adjudications from 5 years to 3 years.
- Allowing multiple convictions to be expunged if they are all listed in a single judgment of conviction, or if the convictions were “interdependent” or part of a single sequence of events.
The new expungement law covers 14 pages in total, and it includes a number of other rules, such as guidelines for implementing the new program.
A criminal record can make many basic steps of life a lot harder, from getting a job to buying property or certain items. If you have a past record that you’d like to put behind you for good, don’t hesitate to talk to an experienced New Jersey criminal defense lawyer. An attorney can help you understand how the new expungement rules apply to your situation and may be able to help you secure an expungement if you qualify.
Free Consultations for Criminal Record Expungement in Cape May County
Attorney John W. Tumelty is a New Jersey Supreme Court certified criminal trial attorney. If you’ve been charged with a crime, don’t hesitate to contact the Law Offices of John W. Tumelty. Our Marmora office can be reached at 609.390.4600; Ocean City at 609.385.4221; and Wildwood/Somers Point at 609.277.2786. Or fill out our convenient online contact form to get started on your criminal defense today.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
