Criminal Record Sealing Vs. Expungement

Having a criminal record can make anything from getting a job to securing a new home difficult to impossible. But what happens when a felony or misdemeanor conviction was dismissed or if you were not found guilty? For these cases, there are two options for recourse: expungement or sealing of criminal records.

Sealing Your Criminal Record

As opposed to expungement, sealing your criminal record does not erase it completely. Instead, a sealed record becomes much more difficult for certain parties to access. This restricted access makes applying for most jobs a far easier process, as most employers would not be able to see a sealed record in your background check. The only parties who can access a sealed record would be those who request it by court order, law enforcement, government agencies, and very specific employers in certain fields. Employers that may seek these records are usually financial institutions, schools, and those that are involved with childcare.

Expungement

When your criminal record has been expunged in the state of New Jersey, it is hidden from public record and impossible for an employer to access. Having your criminal record expunged also means that you are no longer legally obligated to discuss your past convictions or arrests with employers during the application process. Your expunged record can only be accessed under very specific circumstances. For example, if you apply for a government job, you may need to disclose that you have had a record expunged. An expunged record could also be accessed in the event that you are accused of a crime in the future by both law enforcement and a prosecutor.

A criminal record could follow you around for a long time and could greatly impact your chances of employment and many opportunities in life. Everyone deserves to have a clean, private past. Of course, there are many different factors that are taken into account when deciding whether or not you qualify for a sealed record or expungement.  Don’t seek this out alone.

Do you have an arrest record or conviction record in the State of New Jersey that you would like sealed or expunged? If so, you need an experienced local criminal defense attorney who can help.  Contact our office today to set up a consultation.