Expungements

Although recent changes to Illinois law provide for the expansion of expugnable offenses, any criminal conviction can have devastating consequences that extend far beyond your probation or incarceration. Your criminal record may be tarnished forever if you are found guilty of a crime, so it is imperative for you to work with a criminal defense attorney who understands the legal requirements for expungement. The expungement process has the potential to provide relief to individuals who have been convicted of a crime by having the conviction permanently erased from your record. A successful expungement petition will make it appear as it if the conviction never took place because all records of the offense are physically destroyed or erased at the state, county, and local level.

For some people, the mere act of disclosing that they have been convicted of a crime to anyone can be extremely difficult and uncomfortable. A criminal history will have adverse effects on your life and may pose numerous difficulties, such as making it difficult to be accepted into an educational program and receiving approval for financial assistance, obtaining a job, and it may even make it difficult to apply for housing.

Working with an experienced criminal defense attorney will help you determine if you are eligible to remove a conviction from your record. A successful expungement petition can provide you with a clean slate by removing a conviction from your record permanently. However, it is important to understand that for certain convictions, an expungement may not be a possibility, but other relief may be possible in the form of sealing your criminal record. After you have completed the expungement process, by law you are allowed to answer “no” to any questions regarding your prior convictions without any repercussions.

By working with an experienced criminal defense attorney on an expungement petition, you no longer have to keep living with the difficulties caused by the effects of a criminal record. There is no need to continue to suffer as a result of the consequences of that criminal conviction. It is very possible to effectively clear your record from a conviction so that you can get a brand new start. The Law Offices of Peter W. Lewis can help you get that fresh start in life that you deserve.