Why Seal or Expunge a Criminal Record?
Having an arrest or conviction in your past can make it difficult to secure employment, housing, or educational opportunities. Fortunately, Colorado law provides a way for qualifying individuals to seal or expunge their criminal records, giving them a fresh start.
This guide from Black, Blink, & Associates LLC explains the process, requirements, and benefits of sealing or expunging a record in Colorado, including why doing so can make a lasting difference in your personal and professional life.
The past can sometimes come back to haunt us. If you have a prior arrest, charges, or a conviction, it could jeopardize your personal and professional goals. Employers, licensing agencies, and universities can access your criminal record by ordering a background check. Not only this, but landlords and housing units also look at the criminal history of their tenants.
There’s a way to resolve this and move on from your past. You can petition to seal your records from the general public. Colorado allows people who meet the requirements to seal their criminal records from everyone but specific entities, such as law enforcement. If you’re able to have a judge seal your record, you can then legally deny the existence of your criminal history.
Attorney Explains Why You Should Seal Your Records in Colorado
Have prior criminal charges caused strife in your professional and personal goals? Fortunately, there’s a way for you to move on from your criminal history. You can hire an attorney to write a petition for a record seal. Sealing your record will stop the general public — such as employers — from accessing it through background checks.
Contact the attorneys at Black, Blink, & Associates LLC to see if you qualify for a record seal. Our team can write the petition for you and assist you through this legal process.
Call 719-694-0578 to schedule an appointment with a skilled attorney today. We accept clients throughout the greater El Paso County area, including Colorado Springs, Fountain, Peyton, and Black Forest.
Overview of Why You Should Seal Your Record
- What Happens If You Seal Your Record in Colorado?
- How Do I Seal My Record?
- Additional Resources
What Happens If You Seal Your Record in Colorado?
If you’ve been arrested, criminally charged, or convicted of a crime, it goes on your criminal record. This record is available to the general public through background checks or public record searches, meaning employers and licensing agencies can access your criminal history. Thankfully, Colorado offers people a chance to eliminate their criminal history through a petition for a record seal.
Sealing your record will make your criminal history invisible to the general public. Landlords, employers, and licensing agencies will no longer be able to access your criminal record. You can even deny the existence of your arrest or charges in an interview.
Sealing your record can significantly help you with your professional and personal life.
How to File a Petition to Seal Arrest and Criminal Records
The first step to sealing your criminal records is to obtain the appropriate arrest and criminal records. You will need to obtain the proper case report numbers, case numbers, and arrest numbers from your original arrest or criminal record. You may be required to pay a fee to obtain this information.
You can find this information at the following locations:
- Court records from your local county clerk
- Municipal court records
- Arrest or police records from the agency that arrested you
- Your criminal history using the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s online system
Once you’ve received the correct information, you will need to complete the associated forms. The form you need will depend on whether you’re sealing an arrest, charge, or criminal conviction.
Listed below are the forms needed to seal your criminal record:
- Petition to Seal Arrest and Criminal Records – JDF 417
- Petition to Seal Non-Conviction Records – JDF 477
- Sealing Conviction Records – JDF 612
- Sealing Multiple Conviction Records – JDF 641
- Sealing Municipal Records – JDF 683
- Underage DUI Convictions – JDF 305
- Juvenile Criminal Records – JDF 302
To seal your record:
- File the petition with the appropriate court.
- Provide copies of your petition to all agencies associated with your charges or arrest.
- Pay a filing fee of $65 per case.
Once filed, the court will review your petition. Sometimes the court will ask you to attend a hearing, though petitions can be granted without one.
If the court schedules a hearing, it will typically occur within six weeks of filing.
Preparation is critical: It’s highly recommended that you seek legal representation so your attorney can present evidence showing that sealing your record serves the best interests of justice. If your petition is denied, you may file a JDF 435 – Order Denying Petition for Seal Arrest and Criminal Record.
Record Sealing Lawyer in Colorado Springs, CO
If you or someone you know is interested in sealing their criminal past, it’s imperative that you gain legal representation. The process of petitioning for a record seal can be confusing, and even a minor error could jeopardize your request.
The attorneys at Black, Blink, & Associates LLC excel in criminal defense, including sealing and expunging criminal records. Our team will guide you through every step of the process with professionalism and attention to detail.
Call 719-694-0578 now to set up a confidential consultation. Black, Blink, & Associates LLC proudly serves clients throughout El Paso County — including Colorado Springs, Fountain, and Peyton.
Conclusion
Sealing or expunging a criminal record can be one of the most important steps toward rebuilding your life. Once sealed, your past mistakes no longer have to define your future — and you can move forward without fear of rejection from employers, landlords, or licensing agencies.
The record-sealing process in Colorado can be complex, but you don’t have to handle it alone. For experienced criminal defense in Colorado, contact Black, Blink, & Associates LLC at 719-694-0578 for a confidential consultation.