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Expungements and Sealing -
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What are Expungement and Record Sealing?

By their original definitions, expungement meant destroying records and sealing meant blocking them from public view without destroying them. Today the terms are often used interchangeably. Many states, rarely if ever destroy records, even if their statutes refer to expungement. Sealed records are often available to the courts and other law enforcement officials for specific purposes.

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Advantages

When you have a criminal record, no matter how minor, employers, landlords, and others may find it hard to take a chance on you. Many states allow you to have these records expunged or sealed so the public cannot see them. Illinois rules on expungement are very strict, but if a criminal past is making it hard for you to move forward, it can be an option worth exploring.

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Are Your Records Eligible?

Certain misdemeanor and class 4 felonies can be sealed. Sealing your criminal record prevents it from being released to non-law enforcement personnel. The expungement may not be automatic. You may still need to file a petition.

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How Do You Request Expungement?

To have a conviction expunged, you must file a Petition to Expunge Court Record of Conviction in the same court that convicted you. This form asks you to acknowledge that you meet the requirements for expungement and you understand only court records will be expunged.

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Does a Pardon Clear Your Record?What

No. If you receive a pardon, your record will contain a notation indicating the pardon. But it is still available to the public. It is very difficult to obtain a pardon in Illinois. They are usually reserved for convicted felons. You must have completed your sentence at least five years before applying.

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Should You Speak With a Lawyer?

Yes. This is only a brief overview of the rules in Illinois and is not legal advice. Illinois laws have changed in recent years. Your eligibility may differ depending on when you were sentenced. To get answers about your specific case, it is important to speak with us as we handle these cases regularly.

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Submit Your Case

Submit your case to Vako Law and we will get back to you as soon as we can along with an analysis of the legal issues and also with a honest estimate of the fee. We will also provide you with a quick overview of the entire legal process.

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