Rebuilding your life after going through the justice system can be a daunting task. As of 2012, the number of Americans with blemishes on their records was a whopping 100.5 million according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. As anyone with a criminal record will tell you, mistakes made in the past can result in discrimination in the present. However, it may be possible to seal your record with an expungement. (more…)
Are Juvenile Records Sealed in New Jersey?
Often the answer is no – especially if you or a child are arrested for a serious offense or even felony charges. A conviction is a tough experience for both the offender and family. Teenagers make mistakes and often find themselves on the wrong side of the law. They go through the judicial process, juvenile defense, pay fines and sometimes serve time as punishment for their errors. What’s worse, is that after the ordeal is over, they find themselves fighting an uphill battle in their college applications and careers, with a criminal record that hangs like a shadow over their lives.
There’s both good news and bad news for people with expunged criminal convictions who are thinking of immigrating to the United States. The bad news is that even if your record is sealed, certain convictions can still prevent you from successfully obtaining citizenship. The good news is that there are exceptions to this rule, and it may be possible to legally enter the U.S. even if you have a sealed criminal record. In this blog post, expungement lawyer Joseph Lombardo will explain how it’s possible for a sealed record to be reviewed, some of the convictions which can block you from entering the United States, and scenarios where it may be possible to gain entry by obtaining a waiver.
Having a criminal record can interfere with every aspect of your life, limiting employment, housing, and lending opportunities while burdening you with a negative social stigma. However, you may be able to clear your name by obtaining something called an expungement, which seals your record so that it cannot be accessed by the vast majority of the general public. Unfortunately, this legal process is complicated, and it’s easy to make a mistake which could compromise your case. If you’re trying to seal your criminal record in New Jersey, it’s in your best interest to seek experienced legal representation from an expungement attorney.
Having a criminal record attached to your name can create serious obstacles when it comes to applying for loans, housing, and employment opportunities, including careers in the United States Armed Forces. However, if you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be able to seal your record through a legal process known as “expungement.” In this blog entry, New Jersey expungements attorney Joseph Lombardo will explain how expunging or sealing your criminal record affects your ability to enlist in the U.S. Military.
Having a criminal record attached to your name can be a major obstacle to getting a job, which can harm your career and lead to financial hardships. However, you can seal your record by applying for something called an expungement. Once your record has been sealed, in most situations you can legally tell prospective employers that you have never been arrested or convicted of a crime. In this blog entry, Cherry Hill expungement attorney Joseph Lombardo explains what to expect at a typical New Jersey expungement hearing.
In a perfect world, convicted offenders would pay their fines, serve their time, and reintegrate smoothly back into society. Unfortunately, this is seldom the way it really goes. Many ex-offenders find themselves trapped in a vicious cycle of employment discrimination and consequent financial hardship, all because they have a criminal record attached to their name. An expungement will seal your criminal record — but just how robust is that seal’s protection? If a potential employer runs a background check, will they find your record? Vineland expungement attorney Joseph Lombardo explains.
Police images from your arrest for public drunkenness a few years back keeps showing up in search engine results and on mug shot websites all over the Internet. Your face is everywhere – along with your personal information. You contact the websites to take down the pictures, but they won’t budge. Some offer to remove them for a fee, but that’s sounds like extortion. Are mug shot websites breaking the law by profiting from your youthful indiscretions? Our New Jersey criminal defense attorneys examine the relevant laws to find the truth. (more…)
What should I look for in a criminal defense attorney?
Hiring a criminal defense attorney can make a large difference in the outcome of your case if you are charged with a crime. A defense attorney could make the difference between your charges being reduced or dismissed and serving jail time. The first step in hiring a defense attorney is to identify the things that you find important in an attorney. Some common characteristics clients find desirable in an attorney include: experience, professional style, and strategy. It is important to consider in what order these factors are important to you. (more…)
If you have been arrested and charged with a crime such as drug possession, vandalism, or DUI, it can be a worry-filled experience; especially if you have never been arrested before. You may be filled with questions about how you are going to defend yourself from the charges against you. You may also be wondering about how to go about finding an experienced lawyer to represent you in that defense. So like many people in this digital age, you turn to the internet. But there are still many factors that you should consider when meeting with and making the decision to hire criminal defense representation: (more…)
