Elgin, Illinois Expungements Lawyer

Criminal Record Sealing Attorney in Kane County

A criminal record can have a profound impact on your future choices. It can limit options regarding:

• Employment
• Housing
• Bank loans
• School admission
• Obtaining firearms

If you have certain qualifying arrests and criminal charges on your record, it is possible to have them expunged (or permanently removed from your record) so they can no longer harm your ability to gain access to all the freedoms you deserve. But expungement is a proactive process, and you must take the proper steps to make it happen.

At The Law Office of Brian J. Mirandola, I provide guidance for those with a criminal record looking to gain a fresh start. I have practiced criminal law in Kane County for over 20 years, seven of them with the county prosecutor’s office. I understand the procedures regarding expungements and record sealing, and as a Kane County expungement lawyer, I know what it takes to help bring this process to a successful conclusion.

Who Qualifies for an Expungement in Illinois?

Not everyone with a criminal record is eligible for an expungement. Illinois has specific guidelines on the qualifications and process. In general, a person can qualify if he/she has never had a prior conviction for a criminal offense, municipal ordinance violation, or certain types of traffic violations. There are exceptions, however, such as in cases when your conviction was later overturned. If you were charged with a crime and sentenced to supervision, or the charges were later dropped or dismissed, it is strongly likely that you are eligible.

Criminal Record Sealing

If your case does not qualify for an expungement, you may be eligible to have your records sealed. Criminal record sealing does not permanently delete the record, but it does seal the record so it can only be viewed by law enforcement and re-opened by a court order. In Illinois, criminal record sealing has essentially the same practical effect as an expungement; the record is gone from the public eye and cannot be viewed by prospective employers, landlords, school admissions personnel, and others with the power to make key decisions regarding your future.

If you were arrested for a crime, and the charges were later dropped, dismissed, or you obtained a "not guilty" verdict, you may be under the mistaken impression that your arrest record will "go away." As a seasoned Kane County expungement lawyer, I can assure you that this is not the case. If you want to remove your criminal records from public viewing, you must seek an expungement or criminal record sealing.

Contact me today for a free consultation. I will go over your file and tell you honestly if you are eligible for either of these options. If you are, and you decide to retain my services, I will personally guide you through the process and do everything possible to bring it to a successful outcome. I help clients with expungements and criminal record sealing in Kane County, Cook County, DuPage County, and McHenry County.