Expungement Lawyer in Addison

We Help Clients Navigate Expungement in Addison and Throughout Northern Illinois

At the Law Office of Michael Stefanos, our Addison expungement attorney is standing by, ready to help you take all available action to best erase or seal your criminal records. Expungement can be a complicated process. You need an experienced advocate on your side. If you have any specific questions or concerns about expungement, we are here to help. Contact us at our Addison office today for a fully confidential consultation with a top-rated Illinois expungement lawyer. 

How a Criminal Record Can Impact Your Life

While a criminal record is obviously not a good thing, many people underestimate the extent to which it can adversely affect their life. Beyond the immediate penalties—such as fines and the risk of jail—a criminal record can impact you in a wide range of other ways, including: 

• Harder to Get a Job: Many employers conduct background checks. A criminal record can be a major barrier to getting hired—especially for jobs involving trust, security, or vulnerable populations. A record can also make upward mobility more difficult even after landing a job.
• Struggles Finding Housing: Many landlords conduct background checks and may deny applications based on a criminal history. It is particularly common with certain felony convictions, especially those related to violence, drugs, and/or property crimes. 
• Problems for Professional Licensing: A criminal conviction can affect eligibility for certain colleges, scholarships, and professional licenses. Fields like law, healthcare, education, and finance often require background checks and moral character assessments. A record doesn’t always disqualify you—but it can cause real problems.
• Loss of Certain Civil Rights: In Illinois, a criminal conviction—particularly a felony—can lead to the loss of several fundamental civil rights. Our state allows those with felony convictions to vote only once they are released from prison. A felony conviction in Illinois results in an automatic revocation of the individual’s Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card under 430 ILCS 65/8. Felons are permanently disqualified from serving on a jury in Illinois under 705 ILCS 305/2, unless the conviction is later reversed, vacated, or expunged.

Your Guide to Expungement in Illinois

Expungement is the legal process of erasing or destroying a person’s criminal record, as if the arrest or case never occurred. In Illinois, expungement is governed by the Criminal Identification Act. Unfortunately, not all criminal records are eligible for expungement. Still, for those who qualify, it can help to offer a clean slate. Here are some key things to know about the law in Illinois: 

• Eligibility: Eligibility for expungement in Illinois depends on the disposition of the case and whether the petitioner has any prior convictions. Generally, only non-conviction records are eligible for expungement, such as arrests that did not lead to formal charges, cases that resulted in acquittal or dismissal, and/or the successful completion of court supervision. If you have a conviction on your record, you are typically not eligible for expungement, but you may qualify for record sealing instead. 
• Mandatory Waiting Period: Under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, most expungement-eligible cases require a waiting period after the case closes. For matters involving court supervision, a person must wait at least two years after successful completion to apply for an expungement. 
• The Process: In Illinois, the process requires filing a legal document called a Petition to Expunge Criminal Records in the circuit court of the county where the arrest or charge occurred. As part of the process, you must do all of the following 1) Obtain your Illinois State Police (ISP) criminal history transcript, 2) Identify all eligible arrests and dispositions, 3) Prepare and file a petition, and 4) Notify the State’s Attorney and any relevant agencies. 

Why Trust Illinois Attorney Michael Stefanos for Help With an Expungement Case

The expungement process in Illinois is notoriously complex. It is normal to have a lot of questions about your rights and your options. You do not have to navigate the system on your own. Michael Stefanos is a criminal defense lawyer who is committed to results. You can hear what our clients have to say and contact us directly with any specific questions or concerns about your case. Along with other things, our Addison expungement attorney is ready to: 

• Hear what you have to say and answer questions about the expungement process;
• Help you gather and prepare all supporting documents and records; and
• Take action to help you secure criminal records to the maximum extent possible.  

We are Proud to Help People With Expungement in Addison

Tucked into Chicago’s western suburbs, Addison is about a 30–40 minute drive from downtown depending on traffic. It’s located near other key suburbs such as Aurora, Elgin, Naperville, and Schaumburg, placing it at a convenient midpoint between major employment and retail centers. Its location offers both peace and proximity.

Contact Our Addison, IL Expungement Lawyer for Your Confidential Case Review
At the Law Office of Michael Stefanos, our Addison expungement attorney is a reliable, experienced, and solutions-focused advocate for clients. Want to learn more about expungement? We are more than ready to help. Contact us today to set up a fully private, no obligation initial consultation. With an office in Addison, we handle expungements in Chicago, Naperville, Aurora, Elgin, Schaumburg, and throughout the wider region in Northern Illinois.