What Are Sealing and Expungement, and What Are the Differences?
If you have a criminal record, you may be wondering about your options for moving forward. Two common processes that can help you achieve this are sealing and expungement. While they are similar in some ways, understanding their differences is essential for your future.
Similarities Between Sealing and Expungement
Both sealing and expungement allow you to deny the existence of an arrest or criminal record when applying for jobs, loans, or housing. This can be particularly beneficial in helping you rebuild your life after a run-in with the law. In both cases, you can legally say you have never been convicted of a crime during job interviews in the private sector, protecting you from perjuring yourself.
What is Sealing?
When you seal a record, it is hidden from public view but still exists. This means that while most people cannot see it, certain entities—like law enforcement or specific employers—may still have access to the sealed information. This could be relevant if you apply for jobs working with children, the elderly, or certain government positions.
What is Expungement?
In contrast, expungement involves the destruction of the actual criminal record. This means that the record is entirely removed from public view, with the exception of certain identifiers, such as fingerprints and DNA records. However, similar restrictions apply regarding employment in sensitive positions.
Conclusion
If you are considering sealing or expunging your record and want to know your eligibility, don’t hesitate to reach out. Schedule a consultation with the Law Office of Michael White or call us at (954) 710-0925. We handle around 100 sealing and expungement cases each year, and we can guide you through the process.
