Having a criminal record can hinder you in many ways. Since you are legally required to disclose your criminal past, things like applying for jobs, continuing education, qualifying for a loan, or buying a new house or car, are all severely hampered if you have a criminal record.
Everyone deserves a fresh start or new beginning though, right? With a criminal record, this fresh start may prove to be very difficult. Mistakes happen, but often times these mistakes may follow you for the rest of your life, and you will be continuously reminded of them. They don’t have to though. With the help of a knowledgeable attorney and a little understanding of the process, you can smoothly have your record sealed and start that new beginning in no time.
Let’s start with what this means exactly. Generally speaking, sealing your record is the process of removing your records pertaining to a court case from general review. This means that once the process is approved by the court and corresponding governmental agencies, you no longer have to legally disclose the criminal record that may have haunted you for the rest of your life. You can now move forward and apply for jobs and loans as if you didn’t have a record. That new start can officially begin!
So how do you begin the process? The best way is to find an experienced attorney that has vast knowledge about the process. In order to a
pply to have your records sealed, proper paperwork must be obtained from the courts in the state where your charges arose. Once completed and returned, the prosecutor and judge of that jurisdiction will review them for an approval. After the judge has reviewed the application, it will either be approved, or set for a hearing. It is very crucial to have good legal representation that can navigate these steps appropriately.
Record sealing can take up to a year from start to finish. Even if your case is dismissed or dropped, the arrest and charge will still show up on your criminal background check unless you legally seal it. As soon as a case is dismissed, you are eligible to start the process of sealing your record.
Here are the timelines of your eligibility to begin the sealing process:
- Category A Felony – Eligible to start the sealing process 10 years after your case has been officially closed, which includes anytime on probation or parole.
- Category B Felony – 5 years
- Category C or D Felony –5 years
- Category E Felony –2 years
- Gross Misdemeanor –2 years
- DUI or Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Conviction – 7 years
- Any other misdemeanor – 1 year
As mentioned, everyone deserves a second chance, and your past shouldn’t hold you back from being able to make a change and move forward.
At The Law Office of Michael A. Troiano, we have your best interest in mind and we want to help you begin that new start you deserve in Nevada. We have the record sealing experience to help you with your case so you can put your past behind you where it belongs, and move on.
Give us a call at (702) 843-5500 if you need help sealing your record and we will help you along the entire process. Seal Your Record, Free Your Future!
The Law of Office of Michael A. Troiano is a Las Vegas firm that specializes in the area of criminal defense and represents clients within a wide variety of criminal matters, including those charged with misdemeanors, gross-misdemeanors, and felonies. Services range from assault & battery, burglary, domestic violence, drug charges, sealing of records, homicide, and traffic-related issues to name a few. A native of Las Vegas, Michael A. Troiano has been named one of the top 100 lawyers in the nation on several occasions.