Am I Eligible to Have my Record Sealed or Expunged in Massachusetts?

Sometimes the central punishment of a criminal conviction will be just the beginning of your problems. The consequences that flow from the conviction can be even more severe, and they can haunt you long after you have served your sentence. Your record can adversely affect your career, educational and civic opportunities and ability to take out loans or mortgages, drive, obtain custody of your child, obtain a professional license, stay in the United States, and more. At the very least, a criminal record causes embarrassment. In Massachusetts, as soon as you are arraigned for a crime, that will appear on your record even if it is later dismissed.

These consequences can be significantly reduced by sealing or expunging your record. If you haven’t been convicted of any crimes within a certain amount of time, you may be able to get your record sealed or expunged. Having your record sealed means that certain parts of the court activity record will be kept confidential. Expunging your record means that the record will be destroyed without a trace. The even better news is that you may not only have the ability to seal or expunge your record but also to revisit it. For immigration, work, or other reasons, you can sometimes revoke old pleas that you entered into when you were not fully aware of the potential effects of your plea.

Call the Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys of Altman & Altman LLP Today at 617.492.3000 or 800.481.6199.

If you think that you might be eligible to have your record sealed, expunged or revisited or if you have any other questions about criminal law, call the lawyers of Altman & Altman LLP. We have a staff of dedicated criminal defense attorneys who have been in the business for combined decades. At Altman & Altman, we understand that the effects of a criminal record can make your life excessively difficult. It can put you in a place where you might feel like it is impossible for you to succeed. Because of that, we will work aggressively to get your record sealed or expunged and get you back on track. You can reach us at 617.492.3000 or 800.481.6199. We are always available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. We look forward to working for you.