What convictions can be expunged in Illinois?
What convictions can be expunged in Illinois?
Most misdemeanor and felony convictions qualify for sealing in Illinois, but some—including driving under the influence, domestic battery, animal care crimes, and most sex offenses—do not.
How long does a felony conviction stay on your record in Illinois?
Felony charges cannot be expunged, with the exception of some felony drug possession charges, and felony prostitution offenses. Eligible felony expungements are after 5 years from the charges.
How do you get your criminal record expunged in Illinois?
o Step 1: Get copies of your criminal records. o Step 2: Review your criminal records and figure out if you can apply for expungement or sealing. o Step 3: Fill out the expungement and/or sealing form. o Step 4: File the form to begin the process.
What is the statute of limitations on domestic violence in Illinois?
In Illinois and most other states, violent crimes generally have longer statutes of limitations, and some crimes (like murder or sexual assault) have no statute of limitations—meaning a criminal case can be filed at any time.
How to expunge a criminal record in Chicago?
To complete the necessary forms to begin the expungement or sealing process, you need court dispositions for all of your criminal cases and your Illinois State RAP sheet. If you had arrests or charges in Chicago, you also need your Chicago Police RAP sheet.
Who is eligible for expungement and sealing in Illinois?
People with qualifying arrests and convictions may petition the court of their sentencing county to expunge or seal their records. We can answer your questions regarding eligibility for expungement and sealing.
Is there a waiting period for expungement in Illinois?
Typically, people choose to seal records because expungement is not available. However, for some records, sealing has a shorter waiting period than expungement, so you may choose to seal your records for this reason and have them expunged at a later date.
What happens to a sealed criminal record in Illinois?
On the other hand, if your records are sealed, they are not physically destroyed. However, sealed records are not obtainable without a court order and are removed from public view. Niether expunged or sealed records are visible in criminal checks.
How to get a criminal record expunged in Illinois?
Speak with an immigration attorney before filing for an expungement. If you have arrests, charges, or convictions that happened in more than one county, one set of paperwork is required per county. Use our Take Action links to complete the Easy Forms to create requests for expungement or sealing in each county.
Typically, people choose to seal records because expungement is not available. However, for some records, sealing has a shorter waiting period than expungement, so you may choose to seal your records for this reason and have them expunged at a later date.
Can a misdemeanor be expunged from a criminal record?
Even if some instances are not eligible for expungement or sealing, you may still expunge or seal those arrests and cases that are eligible. The ones that are not eligible will stay on your record. Convictions for misdemeanors and felonies (unless they were reversed, vacated, pardoned or approved by the Prisoner Review Board)
Can a felon’s criminal record be sealed in Illinois?
If you are convicted of certain offenses, your records may be sealed, even though expungement is not available. Section 5.2 (c) (2) of the Criminal Identification Act contains an extensive list of the types of the types of Class 4 and Class 3 Felonies that can be sealed, including: