sealing felony records

Sealing Felony Records

Illinois is scheduled to expand a person’s ability and eligibility to seal a criminal conviction. Public Act 097-1120 will allow and individual with a criminal conviction that was previously ineligible to be sealed to petition the Illinois Prisoner Review Board to seal a Class 3 or Class 4 felony conviction from their background. The proposed law states that the requirements are that the offense looking to be sealed is not a crime involving violence, sex or Driving Under the Influnce (DUI).

In the past, the only felony convictions eligible for sealing were those for drug offense such as possession (720 ILCS 570, 720 ILCS 550) and prostitution (720 ILCS 5/11-14). This new law will allow many new individuals with criminal convictions to have their records sealed from public view and increase their ability to seek employment and further their education.

A waiting period still exists under the new law.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a criminal offense, a felony or misdemeanor or would like to discuss expungement, sealing or clemency options, please contact The Law Office of Purav Bhatt at 773-791-9682.

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