How Can a Criminal Record Affect My Future?

 Posted on June 18, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Criminal records make it difficult to navigate your future, especially if you are applying for employment, attempting to secure certain types of financing, or attending school. However, depending on the types of crimes on your criminal record, you may be able to expunge or seal your record, stopping these records from affecting your future.

To learn if you are eligible for either expungement or sealing of your criminal record, you will need to contact an experienced Illinois expungement and sealing lawyer.

Your Future With a Criminal Record

It is no secret that criminal records can make it difficult to go about your daily life, especially in terms of securing employment, loans, or housing. Your criminal record may affect all areas of your life, including the following:

• Employment

• Voting rights, when incarcerated

• Eligibility for public housing programs

• Professional licensing eligibility

• Immigration

• Applications for certain types of financial aid or loans

• Applications for certain educational programs

• Your right to own a gun in Illinois

Can I Stop People From Viewing My Criminal Record?

In most cases, it is not possible to stop people from viewing your criminal record, as criminal record details are public and they will turn up on things like background checks. However, you may be eligible to either expunge or seal your record depending on the types of crimes on your record and a few other factors.

Expungement is the process of completely removing items from your criminal record, and it can apply to both misdemeanors and, rarely, felonies. You may need an official pardon from the Governor of Illinois or to meet certain requirements for expungement eligibility.

Sealing your record stops people from viewing it, except for law enforcement. Most misdemeanors and felonies can be sealed, but DUIs and sex crimes will stay visible on your criminal record.

Factors that can determine your eligibility for expungement and sealing include:

• The type of crime you were convicted of

• Your age at the time of the crime

• Whether or not you were found guilty 

• Whether you have completed the punishment for the crime, including probation

You will need to speak with a knowledgeable expungement and sealing lawyer to learn more about your options for either process.

Contact a Naperville, IL Expungement and Sealing Lawyer

When it comes to your criminal record, you will want this to affect your future as little as possible. In some cases, it is possible to minimize the impact of your criminal record on your future through the expungement or sealing process. However, you will need the help of a Naperville, IL expungement and sealing attorney to do this.

At the Law Office of Philip R. Nathe, we understand the impact of criminal records on our clients. Attorney Nathe has over three decades of experience in the criminal defense field. Call 630-416-7600 for a free consultation on your case.