Chicago expungement attorney

August 19, 2025

Can My Criminal Record Be Cleared in Illinois?

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Understanding Criminal Records in Chicago and Illinois

Chicago is one of the busiest urban centers in the country, and with its size and diversity comes an active criminal justice system. From minor misdemeanor charges like shoplifting on State Street to felony arrests in neighborhoods such as Englewood or Humboldt Park, thousands of criminal cases move through Cook County courts every year. Whether someone is charged with a misdemeanor or felony, the record of that arrest and prosecution often becomes a permanent part of their history.

Illinois law distinguishes between misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors, such as first-time retail theft or simple battery, are punishable by less than one year in jail and fines up to $2,500. Felonies, on the other hand, are more serious crimes like burglary, drug trafficking, or aggravated battery, and carry penalties ranging from probation to lengthy prison terms in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Regardless of severity, both leave behind a criminal record that can affect employment, housing, professional licensing, and more.

November 22, 2019

Acquitted Chicago Cop Has Expungement Request Denied

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

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 there will not be a conviction on his record, the charges will still be available through public records.

Servin faced a bench trial before Judge Dennis Porter. Police officers often request bench trials in these types of situations to avoid juries who may not be sympathetic to their cause. This is especially true in Chicago where police have earned themselves a less-than-stellar reputation as guardians of the community.

January 9, 2015

Chicago “Ban the Box” and Expungement or Sealing of Violent Misdemeanors

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

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 made. Employers may also conduct criminal background checks at this time. The only way to completely avoid having to disclose your criminal history, or to keep it from turning up during a criminal background check, is to have the records expunged or sealed.

Getting a Chicago Misdemeanor Expunged

The “ban the box” law is an important tool that will help qualified applicants who happen to have arrests or convictions in their past proceed to the interview stage. Unfortunately, it does not go far enough to help those with a criminal background get a fresh start. Under the law employers are not prohibited from refusing to hire an applicant based on his criminal background – it simply prohibits them from asking on the job application. Employers are free to not hire someone with a criminal history once they learn about it, either because the applicant disclosed it during the interview stage or because it turned up during a criminal background check. And the general public harbors a great deal of prejudice against those with a criminal background, even though the individual paid his debt to society by fulfilling the terms of his sentence.