LeRoy Martin, Jr., the Cook County judge presiding over the Dante Servin expungement denied an expungement request after he was acquitted of a fatal shooting during an off-duty altercation with a female bystander. Judges can consider the strength of the prosecution’s case when deciding whether an expungement is warranted. While…
As Illinois moves to become the latest state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, many individuals who have criminal records for possession are about to see those records expunged. Under the new law, possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana at a time is authorized by law. Possessing…
The enactment of freedom of information laws means that the public is a lot more aware of its rights in terms of accessing vital information about the community. This becomes even more critical when the information relates to personal issues such as criminal history. Individuals may request for this information…
For many offenders, the sentence handed down by the court is only the beginning of their punishment. In some ways a criminal record as mandated by the Criminal Identification Act is a much more difficult condition to deal with because it is permanent and insidious. Most people will make judgements…
If you are not eligible to have your records expunged, what are your options? If you have multiple arrests and convictions, or if you have been convicted of certain Class 3 and Class 4 felonies, you are also not eligible for an expungement of your record. But all is not…
You have done the crime, you have done the time, and now you would like a fresh start. Your question is “Is it possible?” Is there any way to close that chapter of your life and have a fresh start without a criminal past dogging you? The answer is “Maybe.”…
If you have ever been arrested for committing a crime in any state, whether convicted or not, you have a criminal record. Despite what you have been told, adult criminal records and juvenile criminal records (also known as “rap sheets”) are never automatically cleared. If you incurred a “rap sheet”…
At any given time, thousands of Illinois residents are unable to secure a good job or any job at all, as a result of past mistakes. Even if you have paid your debt to society as a result of a criminal conviction, you may be one of the thousands of…
Many people who have been convicted of a sex crime in Illinois wonder whether the offense can be expunged. There are limited circumstances in which this is possible, but it can occasionally be done. As each situation is different, it is important to consult an experienced attorney for guidance in…
Chicago’s “Ban the Box” law, which prohibits certain employers from requesting criminal background information on job applications goes into effect January 1. However, this information can be requested – and must be provided – once the applicant is invited for an interview, or when a conditional offer of employment is…