Illinois Criminal Records Lawyer
Call (888) 412-3741
A criminal conviction in Illinois – even for a misdemeanor –
can have long-lasting consequences, including fines, probation, and incarceration.
The immediate punishment for a conviction is bad, but the long-term consequences
can be far worse. A criminal record often makes it difficult or impossible
to keep your job or to obtain a better job. A criminal record often makes
it difficult or impossible to keep your housing or to obtain better housing.
Ultimately, a criminal record often makes it difficult or impossible to
remain or become a productive and contributing member of society.
What does an Illinois criminal record include?
If you were ever
arrested – even if you were not
convicted – you have a criminal record. Your criminal record contains your
arrest history, which includes charges that you were acquitted of, charges
that were dismissed, and even arrests where formal charges were not filed.
Your criminal record follows you forever. Many people are shocked to learn
that an arrest history does not automatically disappear after 5, 10, or
20 years. In fact, the only way to remove your arrest history is through
a petition to seal or a petition to expunge.
Attorney Thomas Hallock has helped hundreds of people seal or expunge their
criminal records. Contact him today to discuss your options and learn
if he can help you, too.
Can I receive a pardon if I cannot seal or expunge
my Illinois criminal record?
Not all convictions can be sealed or expunged. For example, many
felonies and some misdemeanors are removable only with the governor's approval.
Additionally, a
federal conviction is removable only with the President's approval. The authority
to remove these records is known as executive clemency or a "pardon."
For Illinois convictions, the governor has the ultimate authority to grant
or deny executive clemency. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board screens
all petitions first, however, and makes a confidential recommendation
to governor. The process is the same even if you never spent a day in
prison. Executive clemency can be time-consuming and complicated, but
it may be the only option.
Attorney Thomas Hallock has considerable experience with executive clemency
petitions and has advocated before the Illinois Prisoner Review Board.
Contact him today to discuss your options and learn if he can help you, too.
Contact Illinois criminal records attorney Thomas C. Hallock to begin cleaning up your past to secure a better future.