Criminal Records Expungement and Sealing

Need help with sealing and expungement of criminal records in Massachusetts?

If you have been charged with a crime in Massachusetts, a notation of the arrest and charge is made within your criminal record.  These notations appear as negative markers and indicate that you have a criminal history.  Your record will stay with you forever, which is why it is so important that it remains clear of criminal arrests and charges.

You should always want to have a clear criminal record, because your record is accessible to the general public.  If you apply for a job, your potential employer could access and review your criminal record.  If there are charges or arrests noted within the record, you could be denied the job opportunity.  Criminal records could also affect applications for housing, educational facilities, or bank loans.

Under certain circumstances, people can have their arrests and criminal charges removed from their criminal records through a process known as “expungement” or sealing.  If your expungement petition is successful, the arrest or charge will be “removed” from your criminal record.  This means that the general public will not have access to this information.

If you are considering filing for expungement, it is advisable that you consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney who is familiar with the expungement and sealing process.  An attorney can help you file your petition and provide valuable insight throughout the expungement/sealing process.