In our digital age, having a searchable history of an arrest or crime can keep you from obtaining a job and living your life to the fullest. At Traffic Law Solutions we can help. Some offenses, but not all, can be expunged or sealed. Criminal History Expungement refers to removing the offense from all records, whereas when a criminal record is sealed the general public is not allowed access to view it.

Many people incorrectly assume that if their charges were dismissed or if they were found not guilty that their record will automatically be expunged. However, there is no such thing as automatic expungement, and once you get arrested you will have an arrest record. At Traffic Law Solutions we can work with you to see if you are eligible for expungement or sealing.

Missouri: Most crimes in Missouri cannot be expunged, but there are a few exceptions. If you committed one of the following offenses you may be eligible for expungement, but this is not an exhaustive list:

  • DUI older than 10 years
  • Passing a bad check
  • Alcoholic offense by juvenile
  • Misdemeanor prostitution
  • Fraudulently stopping bad check/passing a bad check
  • Public drunkenness
  • Tampering with the property of another
  • Misdemeanor disturbing the peace
  • Negligent burning/explosion
  • First degree trespassing

If your offense isn’t eligible for expungement, it may be eligible for record sealing. If you had a misdemeanor that was dismissed, revised, dropped, or if you were found to be not guilty, you may be eligible for record sealing.

Illinois: If you have never been convicted of a criminal offense or municipal ordinance violation you are likely eligible to expunge your criminal record. If you have been convicted of a criminal offense or municipal violation you may still be eligible for record sealing. Remember that a conviction is not the same thing as court supervision. If you have acquired supervision for a prior offense, you may still be eligible for expungement. The process in Illinois will take a few months and will likely require a court appearance by the attorney. In Illinois, if the final disposition of your case was acquittal, stricken with leave, finding of no probable cause, nolle prosequi, no charges filed, or dismissal (successful supervision) then ther is no waiting time and you may be eligible for expungement right away.

These offenses qualify for expungement after 5 years if you have no other conviction and you recieved a sentence of court supervision, but this is not an exhaustive list:

  • Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle
  • Suspended Registration for noninsurance
  • Displaying of False Insurance
  • Failure of Scrap Dealer to Keep Records
  • Domestic Battery
  • Criminal Sexual Abuse (If victim was 18 years or older)
  • Posession of Cannibis
  • Posession of a Controlled Substance

There are other misdemeanors and a few felonies that qualify. Please call our office at 314.499.4040 for more information.