Record Sealing Attorney in Colorado Springs
A criminal record can cause adverse effects on a person’s life, such as losing employment, housing, financial aid, and a professional license. Thankfully, you can immediately petition to seal records from dismissed or acquitted cases.
Unfortunately, though, any case involving a diversion or deferred judgment would have to wait the required time until a petition to seal can be filed. Also, petitioners of uncharged cases must wait until the statute of limitations for the uncharged offense has passed to become eligible.
You deserve to put the past behind you and move forward with your life. Black, Blink, & Associates, LLC attorneys have decades of experience assisting clients with record sealing. Take advantage of our free consultations and schedule a time to speak with us 719-694-0578. Our attorneys will guide you through the sealing process and represent you in court if necessary.
Black, Blink, & Associates LLC is based in Colorado Springs, but we regularly assist clients in areas such as Denver and Littleton.
General Rules for Sealing Records in Colorado
Sealing a criminal record is not as easy as filing paperwork with the court. Before you go through with the process, it’s advised that you consult with an attorney to ensure your case is eligible for sealing. Keep in mind, a petition to seal dismissed charges may not be done in the following situations:
- An offense was not charged pursuant to a plea agreement in another case
- The case was dismissed entirely pursuant to a plea agreement in another case
- You still owe court costs, fines, or restitution
However, you may still petition to seal records if they are records of official actions involving a case that was dismissed pursuant to a plea agreement in another case at such time as the criminal case in which the conviction was entered is eligible for sealing.
Once your record is eligible to be sealed, you will need to gather criminal records and arrest data, fill out the necessary forms, pay the required fees, and file the case with the court. The process of getting your record sealed will take some time. Once all your paperwork has been filled out, it will take your attorney a few days to file it with the court.
Once it’s filed, it typically takes between 30 and 60 days to hear from prosecutors or receive orders from the court. After your attorney receives an order from the court to seal your record, they will send the order to seal to all investigative agencies.
Seal vs. Expungement
Sealing and expungement are both processes of concealing criminal records, but a few differences set them apart. For one, sealing a criminal record will only remove a record from public databases, but the file can still be accessed through a court order. Expungement, on the other hand, is the process of having a criminal record removed entirely from public records.
The key difference between the two is that sealed records still exist in both the physical and legal sense. On the bright side, both sealing and expungement will allow you to deny that the charge or arrest ever happened. This allows you to legally answer no on job applications and in interviews when asked about the charge or arrest.
It’s important to know that both processes only go so far to protect your name. Sealing and expungement will not clear your name from the internet. News archives and mugshot websites may still contain information about the sealed charge. One simple Google search of your name and this information could still pop up.
Record Sealing Lawyer in Colorado Springs
Being able to deny that an arrest or charges ever happened will be a tremendous weight lifted off your shoulders. There is more to the record sealing process than what is mentioned on this page, so it’s advised that you consult with an attorney at Black, Blink, & Associates, LLC. We can help you determine if your case is eligible and ensure the sealing process goes as smoothly as possible.
Call Black, Blink, & Associates LLC to schedule a time to speak with us. Black, Blink, & Associates LLC represents clients in areas such as El Paso County, Denver County, and Arapahoe County.