Expunging or Sealing an Adult Criminal Record

A criminal record can create difficult downstream consequences whether you (or your child) was arrested or convicted (or both). For example, employers and landlords commonly ask job applicants and apartment seekers whether they have ever been convicted of (or perhaps even arrested for) a criminal offense.

Sex Offender Databases: Getting Your Name off if Your Acts Are Now Legal

Not everyone on sex offender lists  are rapists or child molesters. Many people on sex offender lists were convicted long ago of now-legal acts such as sodomy or oral sex. Now that sex offender databases are accessible to the public in the wake of Megan's Law, having your name in the database can have devastating consequences.Here's how to get your name off a list if the act you were convicted of is no longer illegal.

Sealing Juvenile Court Records

Former juvenile offenders may be able to get a fresh start of sorts by filing a petition in court seeking expungement (sealing) of a juvenile court conviction.

Can I check out another person's criminal record?

Question Can a private citizen obtain access to criminal records to find out whether someone has been convicted of a crime? If the answer is yes, how do you do it?

Can a conviction for a noncitizen lead to deportation?

A noncitizen of the U.S., whether an undocumented immigrant or a lawful permanent resident (a green card holder) needs to understand the immigration consequences of any crime that he or she faces

Can someone possess a gun after a criminal conviction?

Federal law bans those who have been convicted of certain crimes from ever possessing firearms. Included in those crimes are all felonies and misdemeanor domestic violence offenses.

I was arrested, but the prosecution didn’t file charges. What can I do about my record?

It’s a huge relief when the prosecution announces a decision not to file charges. But that doesn’t mean the arrestee should do nothing further.