What You Need to Know About Conviction Expungements in New Jersey
Did you know that not every crime is eligible to be expunged from your record in New Jersey? Only certain types of crimes are eligible for this action, but it can help to ensure that you have the maximum opportunities in the future after you have served the sentence for your crime. Many employment applications contain information such that it states, “have you ever been convicted of a crime?”
Many people know that if they mark ‘yes’ in an effort to be honest because of a past conviction, they are losing their chances of the job. Anyone who had a conviction expunged in New Jersey, however, can honestly answer that question, ‘no’. Every day that you have a criminal conviction on your record, you are losing opportunities for your future; whether it relates to your professional life, getting a job, loans and more.
New Jersey does offer a way to clear your record through expungement, which seals the official criminal record and allows you to say that the conviction or the arrest never happened. In most cases, the record is completely wiped clean and any evidence of the conviction or arrest is removed. In order to be eligible for an expungement, you can pursue this for charges that did not result in a conviction. DUI convictions, traffic violations, and civil orders cannot be expunged.
The nature of your conviction and your past criminal record itself will help to determine whether or not you are eligible for expungement. In any of these cases, consulting with an attorney at the outset of your case – as soon as you have finished handling all of the associated penalties with the crime or closing out the case itself – should be your first phone call. It is strongly recommended that you identify an attorney who has a track record of helping people with expungements because this is a unique facet of the law and one that requires a great deal of knowledge and experience.
The Law Offices of John W. Tumelty can help you with your charges if you’re concerned about your future. Contact our office at 609.385.4010 or fill out our online contact form to get started on your case today.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
