If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense in New Jersey, you’re probably very worried about how a conviction can negatively impact your life going forward. Will there be ramifications down the road, long after the case has been resolved?
Unfortunately, we live in an age in which information is readily available at the click of a button. As a result, a criminal record can significantly impact your potential employment opportunities. You could also be prevented from working with children, coaching a youth sports team, or even adopting a child.
Perhaps your case was ultimately dismissed, meaning that you did not end up with a conviction. You may think that this means you do not have a criminal record, but you would be wrong. The arrest and the original charge will remain on your permanent criminal record.
Fortunately, there exists a legal solution to the problem of having a criminal record. It might be possible to remove any trace of your past arrest, charge, or conviction through what is known as an expungement. This is a service that the experienced lawyers at the Tormey Law Firm provide for clients on a daily basis.
Many NJ residents do not realize that they can have documentation of their arrest, criminal complaints, and even convictions removed from their record by completing the necessary procedure associated with the expungement process.
The process begins by filing an expungement petition in Superior Court. You will then need to complete a series of steps, all of which can be easily handled by a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney. In fact, an attorney may be able to complete all of these steps on your behalf so that you can clear you record without ever needing to appear in court.
If a petitioner meets the necessary criteria, a superior court judge may sign an order of expungement. This will result in any documentation of the arrest or offense being taken out of public view.
Once you have received an expungement order, you are legally permitted to respond to questions about previous arrests, charges, or convictions by answering, “No.” Additionally, employers or agencies seeking to check your background will see that you have a clean record.
In addition to potentially being able to expunge a criminal conviction, you might also be eligible to expunge a municipal ordinance violation or a conviction for a disorderly persons offense or petty disorderly persons offense.
To learn more about whether you might be able to have an arrest or conviction expunged from your permanent record, contact Travis J. Tormey and the Tormey Law Firm anytime. We are happy to provide free consultations.
