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Sealing Criminal Records
Massachusetts has one of the least available sealing statutes in the country and that is why it is all too rare that courts seal records here. Also, there is no expungement statute in this state, so one can never get their record completely erased as if it never existed. Simply getting a record sealed might be helpful in some instances, but it is often rather inadequate as it merely indicates to a law enforcement person checking on you that, although you have a criminal record, it cannot be looked at. If one is convicted of something (or even has a continuance without a finding that is dismissed after a period of time as opposed to an outright dismissal), one must wait 15 years after a felony or 10 years after a misdemeanor before it can even be considered whether a record can be sealed. It is not 15 years from the date one is first charged, but 15 years after one is completely finished with probation or jail or any contact with the court. Even then, it is not automatic and is up to discretion. Some have argued that we have a law here in Massachusetts that rarely qualifies someone to use it and this hurts the futures of people who may have made one simple mistake early in their lives. However, if your case was outright dismissed, then you might be ready right away to try to get it sealed. If any of these are the situation, then Attorney Elikann would be glad to try to help. He’s handled record sealing through the Office of the Commissioner of Probation and in all the courts across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If you need representation to help seal your criminal record, contact Attorney Peter Elikann for a 100 % private and confidential consultation at 1-800-934-2921.
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