Expungements And Pardons: Helping You Move Forward After An Arrest Or Conviction
A mistake from your past does not have to follow you for the rest of your life. If a past arrest or conviction on your record is preventing you from finding employment or getting a professional license, it may be possible to remove these blemishes from your record with an expungement or pardon.
At the Law Office of Stephen L. Richards, I help my clients get their lives back by using my deep knowledge of the law and the legal system to obtain expungements and pardons. With more than 25 years of criminal defense experience, I am skilled at meeting the intricate requirements for clearing a criminal record.
To discuss your particular situation with an experienced Chicago expungement and pardon attorney, call me at 866-852-6426, locally at 773-467-7079 or contact me online.
Choosing The Best Option For You
An expungement and a pardon are two quite different things, and both of those are different than sealing a criminal record. I will sit down with you and clearly explain which of these options is right for you. As an experienced lawyer, I am intimately familiar with both Illinois law and federal law, and I will work tirelessly to clear your record whenever possible.
Expungement: These are normally used for clearing an arrest from your record. Expungements are commonly used to erase misdemeanor arrests, including retail theft, drug possession, prostitution, solicitation, vandalism, disorderly conduct and similar crimes. When I defend misdemeanor cases, I commonly ask for expungement early on, so there is no delay in clearing your record.
Pardon: These are used to clear a conviction from your record. This can be a lengthy process and involves petitioning the governor, not a court. I have a solid track record of securing pardons for my clients. In addition, I was a driving force in the clemency hearings for former Gov. George Ryan.
Sealing a record: Some records of old convictions or records of juvenile crime may be sealed. Sealing prevents the record from being viewed by the public, including potential employers. There are strict requirements concerning the crimes eligible for sealing, and I am very familiar with all of them.
Contact A Rockford Attorney With Questions About Expungements, Pardons And Sealing Criminal Records
If a past conviction or arrest is impacting your life, I may be able to help you. To schedule a free initial consultation where we can discuss your situation, call me anytime at 866-852-6426, locally at 773-467-7079 or contact my law firm online.