Get a Fresh Start with a New Jersey Expungement Lawyer
A criminal record follows you everywhere you go. Prospective employers can see it. Landlords can, too, and they might question it when deciding whether or not to approve your application. Schools can hold it against you. You might face this treatment even if your record is old and you’ve changed.
The good news? In New Jersey, you can clear your name. And we’re here to help you do exactly that.
As a trusted New Jersey expungement lawyer, we help people like you put the past behind them and work toward a brighter future.
What Is Expungement in New Jersey?
Expungement means erasing a criminal record from public view.
In New Jersey, when your record is expunged, it’s no longer accessible to employers, landlords, or schools doing background checks. Courts seal the record. Police, prosecutors, and most government agencies can’t see it. To the outside world, it’s like the charge never happened.
This is different from a pardon. A pardon forgives the crime. Expungement clears it from public record.
If you’re wondering how to expunge a record in NJ, you’re not alone. The process involves court filings, eligibility checks, and deadlines. That’s why working with the experienced expungement attorney NJ residents trust gives you the best chance of a positive outcome.
Why Do I Need My Record Expunged?
A criminal record blocks doors. You send out job applications, but you get no callbacks. You tour apartments, but the landlord suddenly stops responding. Even with minor charges, people treat you differently.
Expungement fixes that.
With NJ criminal record expungement, you get a real chance to move forward. A clean background gives you more opportunity to build the life you want.
When you clear criminal records in New Jersey, barriers start falling. You get more control over your future and more peace of mind in your daily life.
Who Is Eligible for Expungement in NJ?
Not everyone can expunge their record, but many can, and more than most people think. The important part is knowing where your case stands and what New Jersey law actually allows.
Here’s how NJ expungement eligibility works.
Types of Charges That May Be Expunged
If you’ve had one indictable conviction or no indictable convictions but two or fewer disorderly persons offenses, you’re likely eligible. Arrests that didn’t result in a conviction are also likely eligible. Finally, juvenile records are usually expungeable, too.
These are the most common types we handle:
- Indictable (felony) charges: One may be expunged if you meet all other rules.
- Disorderly persons offenses: Up to two, as long as you have no felonies.
- Ordinance violations:There’s no limit, but you can’t have any criminal convictions
- Juvenile offenses:Generally eligible unless it would’ve been ineligible as an adult.
- Arrests not ending in conviction:Expungable, with short or no wait time.
- Young drug offenses:Certain possession/use cases qualify with only a one-year wait.
Waiting Periods
Each case type has a different required waiting time that depends on when supervision or sentencing ends:
- Indictable offenses: 10 years
- Disorderly persons (and petty): 5 years
- Ordinance violations: 2 years
- Juvenile offenses: 5 years
- Drug possession/use (young offenders): 1 year
- Arrests with no conviction: 6 months if dismissed through diversion; otherwise, no wait
If you’re unsure whether your clock has started ticking, an expungement attorney NJ locals trust can look at your case and tell you right away.
Offenses That Can’t Be Expunged
Some charges, no matter how long ago, cannot be cleared. These include:
- Criminal homicide (except death by auto)
- Kidnapping
- Aggravated sexual assault
- Certain child endangerment charges
- Robbery
- Perjury and false swearing
- Luring, criminal restraint, and certain sexual contact charges involving minors
Also, if you were convicted of selling or distributing most controlled substances, those don’t qualify. But if the charge involved 25 g or less of marijuana or 5 g or less of hashish, expungement may still be an option.
Complex or Multiple Charges?
If you had more than one indictable offense but they stemmed from a single incident or “criminal spree,” there may still be a legal argument to qualify. Our team knows how to expunge a record in NJ, even in complicated cases.
Why You Need an Experienced NJ Expungement Attorney
Getting a record expunged in New Jersey is possible, but the process works best when it’s handled with care. The petition has to match court standards. Timelines need to line up, and the charges need to fall within what the law allows.
That’s where an experienced New Jersey expungement lawyer adds real value. We work with this process every day. We know which records are eligible, how to avoid delays, and how to present your case with clarity.
Many people ask us if they can file alone. And yes, you can. But mistakes in pro se filings like missed documents, incorrect charge codes, and going to the wrong county can set things back.
Working with a qualified expungement attorney in NJ gives you peace of mind. You get it right the first time. You get updates as your case moves forward. And if the court asks for anything extra, we’re already handling it.
Every case is different, and the law has flexibility. We’ll walk you through it all so you know exactly what’s possible.
If you meet NJ expungement eligibility, we’ll help you clear your criminal record in New Jersey and finally get the fresh start you’ve earned.
Our Expungement Process
Here’s what happens when you work with us:
- Free consultation: You tell us your story. We listen.
- Full record review: We pull your criminal history and check every detail for NJ expungement eligibility.
- Petition prep and filing: We handle the paperwork, draft the legal petition, and submit it to the right court.
- Court representation: If a hearing is required, your attorney shows up for you. You don’t go in alone.
We’ve managed NJ criminal record expungement across many counties in the state. Now, we’re here to support you in reclaiming your future.
Take Action: Don’t Let Your Past Define Your Future
You’ve waited long enough.
Talk to a New Jersey expungement lawyer today. Your consultation is free. From there, we quickly review your record so your path forward can start as soon as possible.
Call us now or fill out the form to schedule your free expungement consult. The future looks bright.
