Expungements

Chicago Expungement Attorneys

Everyone has had youthful indiscretions. Those mistakes might have led to arrests, convictions and subsequent criminal records that remain on a person's record seemingly forever. A criminal conviction can prevent a person from landing a job even decades after the occurrence.

The good news is that under certain circumstances, individuals may have felony, misdemeanor or municipal ordinance violation records in criminal and traffic cases expunged. Among the cases that can be expunged or sealed include:

• Cases in which a person was acquitted, released without conviction
• Certain cases when two (2) years have passed since discharge and dismissal of supervision
• Certain cases when five (5) years have passed since termination of supervision for charges of:
  • Reckless Driving
  • Domestic Battery
  • Criminal Sexual Abuse
  • Aggravated Battery of a Child
  • Retail Theft
• Certain cases when five (5) years have passed since an order of termination was entered and an order terminating probation was entered for violations of the following Illinois statutes:
  • Cannabis Control Act
  • Control Substance Act
  • Steroid Control Act
  • Alcohol Drug and Dependency Act

The attorneys at Ciesla & Ciesla can help individuals determine if they are eligible to have a record expunged. If a criminal or traffic record is eligible for expungement, our attorneys can prepare and file the necessary petition to expunge with the Court where the conviction was entered. Many times the Court will require an in person hearing to determine whether expungement is proper and to hear any objections from the applicable State's Attorney, Prosecutor, Illinois State Police, arresting authority or chief legal officer. Our attorneys represent clients in such Court hearings and contest objections to expungement requests.

Contact Ciesla & Ciesla to discuss expungement issues for Chicago, Cook County, Lake County and DuPage County.