If you have previously been convicted of a crime in New Jersey, it does not mean it has to be on your record permanently. In the Internet Age, a criminal history can have devastating wide ranging effects which can haunt you until you decide to do something about it.
There are a number of criminal charges that I can help you to expunge or erase from your record. If you meet certain criteria, an expungement can erase your criminal history, and allow you to move forward with your life.
N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1, et seq. defines expungement as follows:
“the removal and isolation of all records on file within any court,
detention or correction facility, law enforcement, criminal justice agency
or juvenile justice agency concerning a persons’ apprehension,
arrest, detention, trial or disposition of an offense within the
criminal or juvenile justice system.”
It states further:
“If an order for expungement is granted, the adult arrest, the record
of law enforcement taking you into custody as a juvenile,
conviction, adjudication or delinquency, disposition
and any related proceeding are considered not to have happened.“ (Emphasis added.)
If you have been living with a criminal record, you understand how challenging it can be to compete in todays world. A successful expungement can allow you to legally answer “no” to having been convicted of a crime and could make the difference on your next job interview, school application or loan review.
While you have the right to represent yourself in court, the expungement process in New Jersey can be confusing, and the petition is at the discretion of a Superior Court Judge. Therefore, it is important to hire a qualified attorney to accurately follow all the necessary procedures for filing a Petition for Expungement, and to represent you in the expungement hearing.
To learn whether you are eligible for an expungement in New Jersey, contact Pepe & Wintrode today at (609) 294-8300 to set up a free consultation.