What is the Difference Between Expungement and Sealing a Criminal Record?
An expunged or sometimes referred to as a vacated criminal record, means it is fully cleared from private and public records. In this scenario, the court issues an order directing public offices that hold records of the case to destroy them.
A sealed criminal record looks like the crime never happened to the general public, but certain government and law enforcement agencies can unseal the arrest record with a court order and see any criminal history.
Whether a criminal case can be sealed or expunged depends on the state in which the record exists and the state’s criteria for eligibility.
Expungement will clear a conviction or arrest off of a person’s criminal record and background check. A sealed record only hides the record from public view. The record still exists to some organizations, but not to the general public. Expungement is usually a better option than sealing a record because it is more likely to be permanent. Unfortunately, expungement isn’t available in every jurisdiction.
Furthermore, not all criminal records are eligible for expungement or sealing, and expungement and sealing statutes only direct government agencies to seal or destroy public records. They have no effect on private entities such as newspapers that reported an arrest or conviction.
If expungement or sealing is available, it can limit exposure of past criminal conduct on a job application or a landlord’s lease. It may help you pass a background check.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal charge, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you, and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties, and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer.