According to the State of New Jersey, “an expungement is the removal, sealing, impounding, or isolation of all records on file within any court, detention or correctional facility, law enforcement or criminal justice agency.” What does this mean for you? A court-ordered expungement can remove the following information:
- your arrest
- all court proceedings related to your case
- your criminal or juvenile conviction
- the outcome of your case, including your sentence
Am I eligible for a New Jersey Expungement?
If your past criminal matter is not a prohibited offense and depending upon the type of offense, you will be required to wait anywhere between 6 months to five years to even ten years after your sentence is served and all fines and fees have been paid. You can expunge no more than one indictable conviction and up to three disorderly persons offenses or petty disorderly persons offenses. Additionally, you can have arrests and other matters expunged.
Types of Expungements in New Jersey
Arrests not resulting in convictions (Expedited Expungements)
- The court can order an immediate expungement if a case is dismissed or the defendant is acquitted and found not guilty on all counts.
Recovery Court, formerly known as Drug Court, Expungement
- The court can order the recovery court expungement when you graduate from the program. You only need to apply if the graduation took place before to April 18, 2016.
Marijuana Expungement – N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.1
- An expungement of certain marijuana or hashish offenses.
Clean Slate Expungement – N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.3
- An expungement of your entire record ten years after your last conviction, payment of fines/fees, completion of probation/parole, whichever is later.
Now that you know what an expungement is, now you must find out if you are eligible. Please feel free to follow any of our links and helpful resources.
NJ Expungement Lawyers – Middlesex, Union & Hudson County
McGuckin Law offers New Jersey Expungements statewide. Call us for a free consultation today at 732.924.4200 to discuss clearing your name and getting your life back on track.
