New Jersey Expungement Lawyers

Expungement Attorneys in Clark, NJ Helping Clear Your Record in Essex County, Hudson County, Middlesex County, Union County, and Throughout NJ

Getting an expungement is an important step in putting your mistakes in the past. Anyone who has been convicted of a criminal offense in the past may be able to benefit from going through New Jersey’s expungement process to clear their criminal record. If the consequences of a violation continue to haunt you even after your sentence is over, your next move should be to consult the experienced New Jersey expungement lawyers at Team Law. We may be able to get your criminal record cleared by guiding you through the expungement process, handling all of the required paperwork, and representing you in hearings. 

At Team Law, we believe that everyone deserves a fresh start. Our expungement attorneys in Clark, NJ, will use the full weight of our 60-plus years of experience to help you clear your record.

What Is Expungement?

Expungement is the technical name for the process of clearing your criminal record. More specifically, per the New Jersey Courts, any expunged criminal records are removed, isolated, and generally “considered not to have occurred” in the first place. Expungements are powerful tools through which you may be able to clear your criminal record. 

Expungement may apply to the following types of records: 

• Apprehension 
• Arrest 
• Detention 
• Trial 
• Disposition 

Additionally, when expungement is ordered, all pertinent records are removed from the files of the following: 

• Courts
• Detention facilities
• Correctional facilities
• Law enforcement agencies
• Criminal justice agencies
• Juvenile justice agencies 

Expungements can be granted for offenses in both adult and juvenile court systems. The New Jersey expungement lawyers at Team Law have experience navigating this complex process to help clients put the ongoing consequences of criminal convictions behind them. 

The Benefits of Record Expungement in New Jersey 

As you likely know, your criminal history—including arrests and convictions—can be found by potential landlords, employers, and even schools and colleges. In some cases, you may be required to disclose your criminal history to get a bank loan or obtain a professional license. Long after you have served your sentence and made positive changes in your life, a past criminal conviction can continue to affect you personally and professionally, limiting where you live, the work you can do, and your opportunities for a better future. 

The impact of having a criminal record is huge. So are the potential effects that record expungement could have on your life. 

A clean slate would allow you to move forward with your life without being hindered by a past criminal conviction. If you satisfy certain specific criteria, New Jersey law provides for just that. 

Qualifying for an Expungement in New Jersey

New Jersey law outlines certain eligibility criteria that you have to meet to get your record cleared. 

Violations That Can and Can’t Be Expunged in NJ

In general, convictions for certain very serious crimes cannot be expunged from your records. Crimes that can’t currently be expunged under New Jersey law include (but are not limited to):

• Murder
• Sexual assault
• Arson
• Kidnapping
• Endangering the welfare of a child
• False imprisonment
• Robbery
• Perjury
• DUI/DWI and violations treated as traffic offenses

This list rules out expungement as a possibility for certain violations, but it also allows for the potential expungement of a considerable number of other crimes. Examples of charges that you may be able to clear from your record through the expungement process include:

• Drug possession
• Shoplifting 
• Illegal possession of weapons
• Simple assault
• Public intoxication ordinance violations
• Vehicular homicide

To fully understand whether your prior convictions are eligible for expungement, gather your criminal history record and consult Team Law’s knowledgeable expungement attorneys in Clark, NJ. Even if your request for expungement was denied in the past, contact us to learn about changes to state law and expanded expungement eligibility rules that might apply to your case. The initial telephone consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose by exploring your options. 

Waiting Periods for Record Expungement 

Before you become eligible for expungement, a certain amount of time must pass. The expungement waiting period generally begins after you have completed all penalties imposed upon you for the criminal conviction. 

The applicable waiting period depends upon the type of crime involved and your overall criminal history (how many convictions are on your record). The waiting period can vary, but the law generally provides that expungement will be available after the following waiting periods. 

Arrests and Dismissals

For arrests and dismissals, there is no waiting period. You can have the item removed from your record immediately through expungement. 

Disorderly Persons Offenses (Misdemeanors) 

You may be able to expunge up to five disorderly persons offenses, also known as misdemeanors, after waiting five years from the date you completed your punishment if you have never been convicted of a felony or indictable crime. 

Under updates to state law, certain drug offenses involving marijuana distribution or possession with intent to distribute are now treated as disorderly persons offenses for expungement purposes, even if you were convicted of an indictable crime for this offense at the time. 

In some instances, the waiting period can be reduced even further by making a compelling argument for early expungement. Team Law’s seasoned New Jersey expungement lawyers can help you assess whether efforts to attain early expungement make sense in your unique circumstances. 

Indictable Crimes (Felonies) 

Although certain felony offenses are not eligible for expungement, many are. The waiting period is generally five years following completion of your sentence for a felony conviction that is eligible for expungement. 

If you have been convicted of multiple indictable crimes, the most recent conviction can be expunged after five years have passed, as long as it is otherwise eligible for expungement. 

Combination of Disorderly Persons Offenses and Indictable Crimes

A five-year waiting period also applies when you have a history of both misdemeanor and felony offenses. If you have been convicted of both indictable crimes and disorderly persons offenses, up to three disorderly persons offenses and one eligible indictable crime can be expunged after five years have passed. 

Clean Slate Expungement 

After a waiting period of 10 years following the completion of your sentence for your most recent conviction, you can apply to have all prior convictions expunged even if you exceed the number of convictions that could otherwise be expunged under New Jersey’s Clean Slate law, established by statute N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.3. Certain serious violations still don’t qualify for expungement under this law, so it’s important to consult experienced New Jersey expungement lawyers to make sure you understand how this law applies to your situation. 

How Team Law Can Help You Clear Your Criminal Record

Many people think that they don’t need a lawyer to obtain an expungement since they have already completed the sentences for the crimes for which they were convicted. However, the NJ expungement process is so complex that even the New Jersey Courts recommend that people retain a lawyer, if at all possible, to help them through the process. 

One simple mistake in your expungement paperwork can result in your request being denied. You need to get this right, which means you need the guidance of experienced New Jersey expungement lawyers like Team Law. 

Handling the Entire New Jersey Expungement Process for You 

Due to the extensive criteria and restrictions, just finding out for certain whether you are eligible for expungement often requires a thorough review of your history by knowledgeable New Jersey expungement lawyers. Even after we have determined that you are eligible to apply, the expungement process itself can be complex. Our legal team is here to make sure that your case proceeds smoothly through the expungement process so that you can put the past behind you. 

You can count on our expungement attorneys in Clark, NJ, to assist you by: 

• Obtaining all necessary documentation to support your expungement, including your court records
• Completing the petition for expungement, fully and accurately, on your behalf
• Preparing the verification documentation and the order for the hearing
• Advocating on your behalf if the state objects to the petition for expungement
• Representing you in an expungement hearing, if necessary
• Ensuring that the final expungement order is served upon all relevant state agencies

At Team Law, we are here to handle all of the detailed paperwork and procedural requirements necessary for you to end up with a clean record.

Just imagine—once we have completed the expungement process, you can legally answer “no” when asked if you have been convicted of a crime, as though the past conviction never even happened. 

The Timeline for Getting Criminal Records Expunged in New Jersey 

In many cases, your expungement may be resolved in as little as about three months. In other cases, the process is more extensive, potentially taking a year or even longer. 

Although several factors can contribute to the time it takes to complete the expungement process, having experienced expungement attorneys in Clark, NJ, overseeing the process for you can provide peace of mind and ensure you are prepared to address any obstacles that may arise. 

Why Choose Team Law for Help Getting a Criminal Record Expunged?

Don’t muddle through the expungement process alone, risking mistakes that could cause your petition to clear your criminal record to get denied. At Team Law, our experienced New Jersey expungement lawyers are prepared to evaluate your situation in light of the newly enacted laws and get the expungement process started as quickly as possible. We bring to your case experience, a commitment to helping people, and the offer of a free evaluation to assist you in starting the expungement process. 

Considerable Criminal Defense Experience

Our team has over 60 years of experience practicing law all over NJ and defending clients from all kinds of criminal charges. This background means we’re fully aware of the nuances of criminal violations and can help you uncover answers to complicated questions about eligibility, waiting periods, and recent legal changes as they apply to your unique situation. 

A Focus on Helping People 

Ensuring you don’t remain unfairly affected by past convictions aligns perfectly with Team Law’s mission of helping people, not corporations or government entities. We believe you deserve a clean slate and a second chance, and we’ll explore all options to help you achieve that outcome. 

A No-Cost, No-Obligation Consultation 

Just contacting a lawyer to discuss the possibility of applying for expungement is a big step. We make it easier to take this first step by offering a free, confidential initial telephone consultation. Since you can get your questions answered and receive preliminary advice at no cost, you have nothing to lose by talking to an attorney about whether expungement may be an option for you. 

Contact the New Jersey Expungement Lawyers at Team Law Today for a Free Initial Consultation

You may not have to live with the consequences of a prior conviction forever. A quick, convenient, free consultation with a lawyer can help you begin exploring options for clearing your record.

For help from a record expungement attorney in Clark, NJ, contact Team Law online or call us today. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Expungements in New Jersey