Illinois Criminal Records Lawyer

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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.