As you begin the new year, you’re trying to get a fresh start. People do this in a variety of ways, but, if you have a criminal conviction on your record, you may be considering sealing that criminal history from the public.
To do this, you must submit a petition to have your record sealed. The court will then consider your petition, looking at things like the severity of your crime, whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony if they think there is any risk to the public and much more. This does make it easier to seal records for more minor crimes, but it’s always wise to look into your options, no matter what type of a record you have.
What are the benefits of sealing your record?
Sealed records still exist, and the authorities can still look at them, but it is sealed from the public. This can help you because it won’t show up on a background check. It’s been shown in many studies that those who have criminal records can see a restriction in their ability to access a lot of important services, and they may struggle with access to:
- Housing
- Employment
- Education
- Public assistance
- Civil engagement
For instance, you may find it impossible to get a new job because every employer just runs a background check and decides to hire someone else who doesn’t have a criminal record. They don’t care to take the time to realize that you are trying to get your life back on the right track and that you would be a tremendous employee. They just see this technicality and decide to go in a different direction. Having a sealed record can help you get a job so that you can make your life into what you’ve always wanted it to be.
If you’re interested in doing this in 2022 so that you can get that fresh start, take the time to carefully look into all of the steps you’ll need to take to gain back some control over your life.