Bergen County Expungement Attorney

Expungement is a legal process that "seals" the record of an arrest, conviction, or both. A "sealed" record is essentially erased; a search of your criminal history would no longer contain the record of what has been expunged. New Jersey law allows for expungement of certain offenses and arrests. The law gives much more allowance for expungement of offenses committed as a juvenile, demonstrating that a youthful mistake should not cause a lifetime of obstacles.

Expungement can be an incredibly beneficial process. Criminal records can have an impact on obtaining employment, housing, educational assistance, state benefits, and more. Expunging your criminal record can eliminate potential life-long obstacles. Attorney Joseph Lento has nearly two decades of experience in the criminal justice system and will work with you to properly expunge your record expediently so that you can move forward with your life.

New Jersey's "Clean Slate" Law

Under the New Jersey Clean Slate law, there is a petition process for “clean slate” expungement for New Jersey residents who have not committed an offense in ten years and who have not been convicted of the most serious crimes. As part of the Clean Slate law, low-level marijuana convictions be sealed upon the disposition of a case, preventing those convictions from being used against those individuals in the future.

Offense Expungement Eligibility

Even under the New Jersey Clean Slate law, some offenses may not be eligible for expungement. Expungement eligibility depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of the crime for which you have been convicted. Your criminal defense attorney can examine your criminal record closely and advise you on which convictions may or may not be eligible.

Bergen County Diversion Programs

New Jersey offers some diversion programs that residents of Bergen County may take advantage of if faced with certain offenses. Upon successful completion of these programs, your record will be wiped clean. These include the New Jersey Drug Court Program and Pre-Trial Intervention Programs. If you are faced with certain offenses, your attorney can also negotiate for the dismissal of your charges, if you meet certain conditions set forth by the court. This is known as conditional dismissal.

Expungement of Juvenile Records in Bergen County

New Jersey law allows for the total expungement of juvenile records. Many times when a minor has completed the conditions placed upon him or her by a juvenile court judge, a juvenile record will be wiped clean.

There are some instances in which you may need to take extra steps to clear a record for a minor. Your attorney will be able to walk you through the most expedient way to clear arrests or offenses from your child's record.