Find out how to file your petition for expungement or sealing in the right county here.

The prosecutor or police department who prosecuted your case may object to your request to expunge or seal your criminal record. Every notified agency has 60 days from the day it receives your petition to object, and the agency must object in writing. This is each agency’s only chance to object – they cannot come back later and object if the 60-day period has passed.

You might need to appear before a judge. Some counties schedule a hearing right away. However, other counties only schedule a hearing if someone objects to your petition for expungement or sealing.

Find out how to prepare for a court date here.

If the judge grants your petition, the agencies that have your records have 60 days to expunge or seal your records.

You can ask the court to reconsider your request for expungement or sealing. You will have to file a Motion for Reconsideration with the Circuit Clerk within 60 days of a denial from the judge. You might have to pay another filing fee unless you have a fee waiver. Conversely, you can ask the appellate court to review the circuit court’s decision. To do that, you’ll have to file a Notice of Appeal with the [...]

You do not have to tell employers, landlords or anyone else about expunged or sealed records. You can answer “No” on a job application if it asks you if you’ve ever been convicted of a crime. However, if the judge hasn’t issued an order expunging or sealing your record, you do have to report your criminal record to potential employers after an interview or conditional offer of employment.