The prospect of having a criminal record expunged is an appealing one. For new offenders who have an otherwise spotless record, having anything blemish that record can be discouraging, especially when the potential long-term effects are considered. Having a criminal record can impact everything from your reputation in your community and workplace to your ability to acquire or maintain a place of employment. If you desire to have your record expunged, you first need to see what the law says about the process and whether or not you even qualify.
The Criminal Identification Act Standards
The law determines who may be eligible for the expungement process in Section 5.2 of the Criminal Identification Act. Unless you are an honorably discharged veteran convicted of specific Class 3 or Class 4 felonies, you are only eligible to have your record expunged if you have never before been convicted of a criminal offense or municipal ordinance violation. Under Illinois law, your record cannot be expunged if it is federal or out-of-state. Other factors that disqualify your record from being eligible for expungement include:
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