If you were convicted of a criminal offense in Camden County, New Jersey, and expungement of your record may be possible. An expungement is a legal process through which you get a criminal offense, or your entire criminal history wiped clean. This effectively "seals" your criminal history, meaning others cannot see that you were ever convicted of a criminal offense (with specific exceptions). You can seal an arrest, a conviction, or both. Both adults and juveniles can seal criminal records if their offenses are eligible for expungement.
Expungement can be incredibly beneficial to you, allowing you your choice of employment, school choice, special licenses, or more. New Jersey attorney Joseph Lento has nearly two decades of experience in the criminal justice system, and can work hard to seal your criminal record when possible.
Are You Eligible for Expungement?
Whether you are eligible for expungement depends greatly on the specific offense you are trying to seal. Determining whether you are eligible can be complicated on your own, but with the help of an experienced attorney you can figure it out quickly, and work towards getting it sealed. Whether an offense can be sealed typically depends on the "severity" of the offense. Never assume, however, that you are ineligible for expungement, as you may be surprised. The benefits are far too great to assume you are not eligible.
What is the "Clean Slate" Law in New Jersey?
New Jersey's "Clean Slate" law allows for the complete sealing of a criminal record for a person if he or she meets the eligibility criteria. To be eligible, a person must not have committed a criminal offense within the last 10 years, and also not have been convicted of certain "serious" crimes. If you are eligible, your entire criminal record can be wiped clean at once. As part of the same law, low-level marijuana convictions can be sealed even as soon as the disposition of the case, protecting your record.
Sealing Your Juvenile Record in Camden County
A juvenile record is eligible for total expungement under New Jersey law. Once a minor offender has completed the conditions imposed upon him or her by the juvenile court judge, the record can sometimes be automatically wiped clean by the judge. While sometimes it is this simple to walk away without a record, sometimes there are a few more steps that your attorney will need to take to make this happen.
Without a juvenile record holding you or your child back, the opportunities are much greater. Many colleges or employers do not want people with a criminal record, but a sealed record looks as if there is no record. This is a great way to protect your future.
Consult a Camden County Expungement Attorney
Even the New Jersey Court System's educational materials on pursuing an expungement state "The court system can be confusing, and it is a good idea to get a lawyer if you can." With the help of an experienced attorney, you can get the benefits of an expungement if you are eligible.
If you want to pursue expungement of a criminal record for yourself or your child, contact the Lento Law Firm today at (888) 535-3686.
