When you’re clearing your criminal record through expungement, you have two options: You can do it yourself or you can hire a Chicago expungement attorney. If you choose to do it yourself, which is cheaper than hiring a lawyer to do it for you, you can fill out and file your paperwork yourself. If you’re like most people, that means you’ll have some questions – so check out this DIY expungement FAQ to get the answers you need.
Illinois DIY Expungement FAQ
Check out these frequently asked questions to see if what you need to know is here. If you don’t see your question here, you may want to sign up for our DIY expungement service, which gives you step-by-step instructions on clearing your criminal record in any county in Illinois, access to a lawyer for case-specific questions, and all the forms you need for expungement.
Where Do I Get the Forms to File for Expungement in Illinois?
Some counties use different forms than others do, which means you’ll have to make some phone calls to the courts in your area or try to track down the forms you need online. This can be a time-consuming step, but you cannot do your own expungement without the right court forms. Alternatively, you can sign up for our DIY service, select the county or counties where your cases took place, and download the forms with just one click.
How Do I Know How to Fill Out Forms for Expungement?
When you fill out your expungement paperwork, you have to fill it out quickly. If you don’t, the court could reject your expungement packet, which means you have to start all over. Some forms have instructions on them, which is great – but others don’t, or they’re not completely clear. If you choose to use our DIY expungement service, you’ll get instant and unlimited access to instructions on filling out every form – it doesn’t matter which county you’re filing in, because we have written and video instructions for every form for every county.
What Should I Do if the State’s Attorney Rejects My Petition?
Sometimes when people file expungement paperwork in Illinois, the state’s attorney objects to it. That means he or she doesn’t agree that you need a fresh start. Sometimes you’re entitled to a hearing if the state’s attorney objects to your petition, and you can represent yourself or hire an attorney to represent you. Our DIY service has a lot of information on what you should do if the state’s attorney objects to your petition so you can represent yourself if you can’t afford a lawyer.
Are You Ready to Clear Your Criminal Record?
Clearing your criminal record might be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself – imagine what your life would be like if your past wasn’t hanging over your head every time you try to get a job, find a new place to live, or even try to get credit.
You can hire an attorney to help you expunge your record or you can do it yourself. If you’re like most people, you already know that hiring a lawyer can be a bit on the expensive side – so DIY expungement might be the right choice for you.
You can learn more about expungement by downloading our free Illinois expungement e-book or you can sign up for our DIY service, which provides you with instant access to:
- All the court forms you need for every county in Illinois
- Step-by-step written instructions for filling out and filing court forms
- Detailed video instructions that show you what information to include on every form
- Tips to help you through the expungement process
- Guidance for special situations
- Access to an attorney through a messaging forum in case you have questions about your petition
All you have to do is click the red button below to sign up for our DIY expungement service and you’ll be ready to clear your record – so what are you waiting for?
