Massachusetts Criminal Law Firm -
Erase Your Criminal Record
Massachusetts Attorneys to Clear Your Criminal Record

Once you have been arrested in Massachusetts, you have a criminal record. 

Period.

Even if the charges are later dismissed by a judge, you still have a criminal record.  As if this weren't bad enough, the fact that local newspapers post police blogs and that you can find anything about anybody through online searches these days, your criminal record might as well be considered a public record where employers, friends, and family can see that you have been arrested of a crime.

Criminal records can prevent you from getting a good job, obtaining U.S. citizenship, obtaining a commercial license, enlisting in the military, being accepted into certain schools, and most importantly having peace of mind. 

Additionally, institutions of higher learning, often known to scrutinize applicants - whether a law school, medical school, nursing program, or any other college - could deny your application if you have a criminal record.

But there is hope.

In Massachusetts, under some circumstances, one may be able to have a criminal record sealed. If sealed, a symbol goes over your record and that is all that is seen.

Why Would You Want Your Record Cleared?

The most frequent case for wanting a record sealed relates to the process of filling out a job application and coming across the dreaded question, "Have you ever been convicted of a crime?"  If you got into trouble as a juvenile or college student, that temporary lapse in better judgment shouldn't have to follow you for the rest of your life.

The Indirect Consequence of Your Criminal Record
May Be Worse Than the Main Punishment

Pleading guilty or being convicted of a crime may result in the loss of certain rights, but one's right to vote, hold public office, own a firearm, or engage in any other opportunity should not be revoked indefinitely.

In Massachusetts, you may be eligible to have your criminal record sealed if:

• Criminal charges have been dismissed or a not guilty verdict was reached, or
• It has been either 10-15 years since the conviction (depending on the crime), or
• The record relates to a juvenile crime that is at least three years old.

Public access to criminal records is covered in detail under Massachusetts law, which regulates access to what's known as the Criminal Offender Record Information, or CORI.  The Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB) administers requests for criminal records data in background checks, considers applications for correcting errors on CORI reports, and generally monitors the CORI system to make sure that public information is freely available while keeping confidential information about a given offender private.

The Qualifications and Process For
Sealing Your Record Are Complicated

There is no logical reason not to have your criminal record erased - or sealed - but because different administrative agencies and certain aspects of the law are involved, it is best to discuss the matter with a law firm that concentrates on the sealing process. 

The Massachusetts Criminal Defense Group is a network of local defense attorneys - each assigned to one of the different courthouses - who help our clients streamline the process of having their criminal records sealed.  If you have a compelling reason for which to have your record sealed in less time than is normally required, we'll petition the Commissioner of Probation and seek to have your record sealed in less time than what would normally be required.

Our Best Argument to the Judge

After you've been punished for your wrongdoing, it's in everybody's best interest to help you get on with your life.  Once you retain our services to help get your criminal record erased, in our session before the judge, we will advocate that there is a "compelling government interest" in sealing the record, that this compelling government interest is greater than the First Amendment interest of the public to be able to see court records, and that it is in the interest of fairness and substantial justice.