If you or someone you know is burdened by a criminal record—whether it includes an arrest, a conviction, or both—it doesn’t necessarily have to haunt you forever. A past record can create significant hurdles when you are trying to lease a home, secure credit, or pass a background check for a new job.
Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be eligible to have your record sealed or expunged, allowing you to move forward with confidence. At the law firm of Dolci Weiland & Sendlak in Oakbrook Terrace, our criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to helping clients distance themselves from past mistakes and reclaim their futures.
What Is Expungement?
Expungement is the legal process of clearing your criminal record. While the laws surrounding this process are complex, successfully expunging a record means that, for most intents and purposes, the record is destroyed as if it never existed.
If your case does not qualify for full expungement, “sealing” may be an option. This hides the record from the general public and most employers. Clearing your record provides more than just practical benefits; it provides the psychological relief of knowing your past is no longer hanging over your head.
Who Can Access Your Criminal Record?
In the digital age, arrest histories are easier to find than ever before. Between online databases and the Freedom of Information Act, many documents that were once difficult to find are now accessible to anyone with a computer. These records are frequently accessed by:
- Potential employers and recruiters
- Banks and mortgage lenders
- Educational institutions
- Landlords and property managers
Furthermore, official arrest histories can often be incomplete or misleading, leading people to misinterpret your past. Expunging these records ensures that an incomplete paper trail doesn’t tell the wrong story about who you are today.
Our Comprehensive Approach
The legal process for clearing a record varies based on the severity and nature of the offense. Our team at Dolci Weiland & Sendlak assists with every step of the process, which can include:
- Sealing or Expunging your criminal record.
- Obtaining mug shots and fingerprints.
- Cleaning up your driving record.
- Notifying all relevant agencies, including the arresting agency, the State, the FBI, and the clerk’s office, to ensure the files are properly handled.
Choose Expungement Lawyers with Proven Experience
The next step in reclaiming your reputation is hiring an attorney who is intimately familiar with Illinois state statutes and procedures. When you choose Dolci Weiland & Sendlak, you benefit from 40 years of combined legal experience.
Crucially, all of our criminal defense attorneys are former prosecutors. We understand how the system works from both sides, and we use that insight to provide you with excellent legal representation. We are committed to helping you receive a fresh start in the job market, in your search for a home, and in your financial life.
Start the Process Today
Don’t let a past mistake dictate your future. For additional information on how we have successfully helped others clear their records, contact our office today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Call us at (630) 261-9098.