How can I have my criminal record sealed in Colorado?
Having a criminal record is a troubling issue many people face in Colorado. The crimes they committed very well could have been simple mistakes made at one point in life. Having a criminal charge appear on a background check for employment can make it difficult to find gainful work. So, how can you have your criminal record sealed in Colorado?
The offenses that can be sealed on your record include the following:
- Underage marijuana and alcohol violations
- Municipal violations
- Petty offenses
- Drug crimes
- Juvenile offenses
- Underage drinking and driving
Depending on the severity of the crime, it might take anywhere from one year to 10 years after conviction to have your criminal record sealed. You can immediately have an arrest record sealed if you were not convicted of the crime for which you were arrested. Sealing your criminal record means that you will make it invisible to anyone who runs a background check on you.
If the court grants your request to seal your criminal record, you legally can say no when asked if you have a criminal record. Why? When the person asking about your criminal record goes to conduct a background check they will not find anything. The rare exception is if you are applying to the Colorado Bar to become an attorney.
It’s important that you know the options available to you when it comes to having a criminal record sealed. The help of an attorney can make this process quite simple. Don’t accept the fact that you have to go through life with these charges always appearing on background checks when you can seal your record.
