Illinois Lawyer Referrals and Legal Guidance
Expungement and Record Sealing in Illinois
Findgreatlawyers.com is a free service, run by Illinois lawyers, that helps people looking for general Illinois legal guidance or a referral to an Illinois attorney for almost any legal matter, including lawyers that help people expunge or seal their records. We are based out of Chicago and help people not only looking for Chicago expungement lawyers, but also attorneys in Illinois for just about any county that help people expunge or seal records when they are eligible.
The following information speaks very generally about expungments and record sealing in Illinois. It shouldn't be taken as legal advice and if you have a criminal record that you want to get rid of you should seek an attorney referral. If you would like a referral to a lawyer or have general questions please call us at (312) 346-5320 or (800) 517-1614 or fill out our contact us form and we will contact you. There is never a charge to call and all inquiries are confidential.
Expungement
Sometimes, records of an individual's misdemeanor, municipal ordinance and felony violation records in both traffic and criminal cases can be sealed, or no longer available to view by employers or other members of the public. Unlike records that have been expunged, records that have been sealed are technically still available to law enforcement agencies and they can be viewed by members of the public who obtain court orders.
It is possible to qualify for expungement if:
- A person is released without being convicted; or
- The Governor issues a pardon that specifically states that a person's records should be expunged; or
- At least 5 years have passed since an order was entered to terminate supervision for any of the following crimes:
- First time cannabis violation
- First time substance violation
- Illegal use of steroids
- Illegal use of alcohol
- Uninsured motor vehicle
- Suspended registration for non-insurance
- Display of false insurance
- Reckless driving
- Domestic battery
- Criminal sexual abuse
- Aggravated battery of a child
- Retail theft
The following cases do not qualify for expungement:
- When a drug or alcohol use violation (under the Cannabis, Controlled Substances, Steroid Control and Alcohol and Drug Dependency Acts) results in a guilty verdict and a sentence other than probation.
- When a sexual offense case against a minor less than 18 years of age results in supervision or conviction.
- Conditional discharges
- DUI Supervision
Seal Records
Sometimes, records of an individual's misdemeanor, municipal ordinance and felony violation records in both traffic and criminal cases can be sealed, or no longer available to view by employers or other members of the public. Unlike records that have been expunged, records that have been sealed are technically still available to law enforcement agencies and they can be viewed by members of the public who obtain court orders.
It is possible to qualify for a seal if:
- A person is released with out conviction; or
- A person's overall conviction is reversed; or
- A person is given a sentence of supervision for a misdemeanor and there have been no felony or misdemeanor convictions for three years; or
- A person receives a conviction for a misdemeanor and has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, or placed on supervision for a misdemeanor for four years.
The flowing cases cannot be sealed:
- Felonies (except Class 4 drug possession and Class 4 prostitution)
- DUI
- Article 11 of the Criminal Code (adultery, fornication, public indecency, obscenity, marrying a bigamist)
- Dog fighting
- Assault
- Aggravated assault
- Battery
- Domestic Battery
- Violation of an order of protection
- Criminal sexual abuse
- Sex offender registration offenses
- Inhuman treatment of animals
Findgreatlawyers.com is a trusted resource for finding expungement lawyers in Chicago, Wheaton, Waukegan, Peoria and other locations in Illinois. There is never a charge to speak with us and ask for a referral to an Illinois expungement attorney or for general legal guidance on any area of Illinois law. Since 2001 we have helped thousands of people with Illinois legal problems. If you need help contact us and we will do whatever we can for you.