In the best case, when an individual is charged with or convicted of an offense, they can move on from the experience, even if it includes incarceration or some other penalty or fine, and become a productive, law-abiding citizen. The sincerest efforts to walk the straight and narrow can be hampered, however, by the paper trail tied to their interactions with the criminal justice system. Among other possible issues, prospective employers may reject an applicant with a criminal record, making reintegration into society even more difficult. For some individuals, expungement of their records helps put a difficult part of their past behind them, but this option is not available in all cases.

What is Expungement of Records?

Every state in the U.S. has its own guidelines for the expungement of records. In New Jersey, expungement is defined as “the removal, sealing, impounding, or isolation of all records on file within any court, detention or correctional facility, law enforcement or criminal justice agency.” For each case, this includes information about the arrest, all related court proceedings, the criminal or juvenile conviction, and the outcome of the case, including the sentence.

Expungement is also possible in these situations:

• an arrest did not result in a conviction
• an individual completed a drug treatment program
• charges and penalties are related to some marijuana or hashish offenses
• ten years have passed since the last conviction and restitution

An experienced criminal defense attorney can give the best guidance on expunging criminal records. The Criminal Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can help with this issue.

In What Circumstances Is Expungement Not Possible?

Each case for expungement of records is considered individually, and there are many instances when expungement is not possible, even if decades have passed since an individual was convicted. New Jersey categorizes serious crimes, including murder, kidnapping, sex crimes, false imprisonment, robbery, arson, child endangerment, human trafficking, and serious drug crimes, as “ineligible offenses” that preclude record expungement. Records of crimes public officials committed in their official capacity are also ineligible for expungement.

Attorney Joseph D. Lento and His New Jersey Criminal Defense Team Can Help With Expungement of Records of Past Convictions

If you want to have any New Jersey criminal records expunged, you need the guidance of an attorney who has extensive experience navigating this process. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team can help determine whether your records are eligible for expungement and guide you through the expungement request procedure if they are.

To learn more about how Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm can help with your expungement questions, call Joseph D. Lento today at 888.535.3686, or use the online link to schedule your confidential consultation with the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team.