Criminal Record Relief

A criminal record, whether stemming from an arrest or a conviction, can create barriers to employment, housing, education, and licensing. For this reason, the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy founded our Criminal Record Relief Practice in 2009.

Our Criminal Record Relief team provides free legal assistance to anyone who wants to expunge and/or seal their Illinois criminal history. You do not need to be an Illinois resident to qualify for our services.

To get help with expungement and/or sealing, you may…

Criminal Record Relief

Any time that someone is taken into custody by law enforcement, a record of that event is created. A criminal record serves as a history of a person’s arrests and convictions and can cause barriers to employment, housing, and more. Criminal records can include incident reports, arrests, and/or convictions.

REMEMBER

Just because a case may be eligible for expungement or sealing does not mean it will be. Only the court has the power to grant or deny a request to expunge or seal a criminal record.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DOES SOMEONE APPLY FOR CRIMINAL RECORD RELIEF?

Petitions to expunge or seal a Cook County criminal case may be filed at any Cook County Courthouse. Outside of Cook County, petitions are filed at the courthouse where the case was litigated.  There is a filing fee to expunge or seal a criminal record. A person who cannot afford the fee may ask the court for a fee waiver. 

HOW LONG DOES CRIMINAL RECORD RELIEF TAKE?

From start to finish, the process of expunging or sealing an adult record can take anywhere from five to eight months.

WHAT IS RECORD EXPUNGEMENT?

When a criminal record is expunged, the official records of the event are deleted. Only cases in which a person was not convicted are eligible to expunge, including cases:

  • that have been dismissed
  • found not guilty by a judge or jury
  • involving supervision or special types of felony probation [note: sentence(s) must be completed successfully]
  • with a record of an arrest where no formal charges were ever filed

WHAT IS RECORD SEALING?

When a criminal record is sealed, it is no longer a searchable public record. Sealed records are still accessible to law enforcement and state prosecutors. Employers who are legally authorized to do a fingerprint background check (schools/park districts) have permission to view most sealed record information.

Most cases are eligible to seal in Illinois and only a handful of cases are not eligible to seal.

WHAT DOES IS COST TO FILE A PETITION TO EXPUNGE OR SEAL A RECORD IN COOK COUNTY?

FILING FEE: $151.50 – When a criminal record is sealed, it is no longer a searchable public record. Sealed records are still accessible to law enforcement and state prosecutors. Employers who a In Cook County, the base filing fee is $151.50. 

If you can’t afford the filing fee, you can apply for a fee waiver. If granted, you will not pay the filing fee. You will still need to pay for the Chicago Rap Sheet fee if you have a Chicago case. Filing fees in the other Illinois counties vary.

ADDITIONAL COSTS IF YOU HAVE A LEGAL CASE IN CHICAGO:

  • RAP SHEET: $16 – a Chicago Rap Sheet obtained from the Chicago Police Department
  • DISPOSITIONS: $6/each – certified court dispositions for each case number listed on the petition to expunge and/or seal, obtained from any Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Office

WHEN CAN SOMEONE PETITION FOR RECORD RELIEF?

Depending on what a person has on their record, they may be able to petition (apply) immediately for expungement and/or sealing. In some cases, however, there may be a waiting period to petition for criminal record relief. As one of the few legal aid providers in Chicagoland offering free criminal record relief, the Moran Center recommends you reach out as soon as you are able to begin the process.

START THE RECORD RELIEF PROCESS

Call 847-492-1410
Email contact@moran-center.org

Virtual Intake: We begin our intake process online through the Illinois Legal Aid Online directory. This will help connect you with either the free integrated legal and mental health support from the Moran Center or the other best advocates to help with your challenge, closest to you. 

Virtual Intake

RECORD RELIEF FOR NON-CITIZENS

If you are not a U.S. Citizen and hope to apply for citizenship or change your legal status, consultant an immigration attorney first. Under federal immigration law, a non-citizen must disclose any interaction with law enforcement to immigration authorities.

NEW LEAF ILLINOIS NETWORK (CANNABIS RECORD RELIEF)

The Moran Center is a part of the New Leaf Illinois network of 20 nonprofit organizations throughout the state who provide free legal representation or legal information to people who want their cannabis convictions off their record.

Register for Cannabis Expungement through New Leaf

Call New Leaf Illinois to Register: 855-963-9532

Call the Moran Center to ask About Criminal Record Relief: 847-492-1410.Visit the New Leaf Portal on Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) to learn more about Illinois’ new cannabis laws.

ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF: HOW TO FILE A PRO SE PETITION

Are you interested in filing for clemency or petitioning for record relief, but do not want a lawyer? Check out this comprehensive guide for individuals seeking to file pro se Pardon Petitions. 

HOW TO DRAFT A CLEMENCY PETITION [Video Guide]

Watch this video guide on how to draft a persuasive clemency petition without further assistance of an attorney, featuring Moran Center’s Ina Silvergleid.