If you’ve been convicted of a crime, you most likely understand just how significantly a criminal record can impact your life. Fortunately, for many people, there is a path to having your record cleared. If you believe you may qualify or wish to learn more about the process, please don’t hesitate to contact a dedicated Queens expungement lawyer from Vasiliou Law for guidance.
If you’ve ever had to check “yes” next to “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” on a job application, you know just how important having your record cleared could be. Though we colloquially refer to the process of having your record cleared as “expungement,” New York actually does not technically recognize the process of expungement. That said, certain qualifying individuals may still have their criminal records sealed. If you wish to have your record sealed, consider speaking with a competent Astoria criminal defense lawyer from our legal team for guidance.
Although your criminal conviction cannot be completely destroyed or erased from the record, as it would in expungement, it can still be sealed. Having your record sealed means that the record will still exist, but all fingerprints, booking photos, and DNA samples must be returned to you or destroyed. Additionally, your criminal record will no longer be visible to prospective employers (unless you’re applying for a job in law enforcement or enlisting in the military). In many ways, having your record sealed can give you a new lease on life. No longer having to check “yes” when asked if you’ve been convicted of a crime can make a world of difference.
Importantly, you should understand that not every crime is eligible to be sealed here in New York State. The only crimes eligible are as follows:
Some of the various crimes that are currently ineligible to be sealed in New York State include sex offenses, violent felonies, serious felonies, and even some noncriminal offenses, such as prostitution and driving while intoxicated. Although these crimes may not be sealed, if you’re currently facing criminal charges, you still have a chance of having those charges lowered or dismissed, as long as you hire a competent Astoria criminal defense lawyer from the start.
To have your record sealed, you’ll need to retain the services of a competent expungement lawyer who can then guide you through each step of the legal process, which can potentially be a long one. A general breakdown of the process of having your record sealed is as follows:
The bottom line is that if you’re looking to start fresh and move on with your life after being convicted of a crime, you need a competent expungement lawyer in your corner who can effectively guide you through each phase of the process. Contact Vasiliou Law today to schedule your free case evaluation with our dedicated legal team.
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