how long should it take a lawyer to file an expungement petition in nj

by Prof. Tommie Raynor I 7 min read

As can be seen, this first step can take anywhere from 1 week to 6 weeks, depending on how long it takes the attorney to obtain the necessary court documents (which can take anywhere from a few days to 4 weeks to receive from the courts).Apr 6, 2017

How long does expungement take in New Jersey?

Oct 05, 2021 · The typical expungement process in state can have a timeline of eight to 12 months, but each case is different. The time might fluctuate depending on how long you take to complete the necessary paperwork. Blunders in filing can create significant delays. What is the New Jersey Expungement Process? The New Jersey expungement process will involve the …

Do I need a lawyer for an expungement in NJ?

An Expungement in New Jersey Can Take Up to Four Months to Complete This is true whether you are seeking an expungement for a disorderly persons offense or a felony. These four months begin once you start the expungement process, which begins when you obtain your expungement kit. Typically, the expungement process follows this timeline:

How long does it take to get an expungement hearing?

How long does an expungement take? Expungement in New Jersey can take six to ten months: 1-6 weeks: You and your attorney get copies of your criminal records and prepare and file the Petition for Expungement. 2-10 weeks: The court will assign a judge and set a hearing date. You and your attorney serve the Order of Hearing on the involved agencies.

What is the process for expunging an arrest?

In most cases, you must wait five years after your sentence is served. All fines and fees must be paid. Sometimes, you can file for expungement after 4 years. You can expunge no more than one indictable conviction and up to three disorderly persons offenses or …

How long does expungement process take in NJ?

Currently, the entire New Jersey expungement process takes approximately eight to twelve months to complete – although it could take more or less time, depending on your case.

What is the expungement process in NJ?

An eligible person must prepare and file a Petition for Expungement. The Petition for Expungement must be filed in the Superior Court in the county where the arrest or prosecution took place. A judge then decides whether the person should be granted an Expungement Order.

How much does it cost to file for expungement in NJ?

How much does an expungement cost in New Jersey? Filing Fees: The New Jersey Superior Courts currently charge $75 to file for an expungement. Lawyer's Fees: Every expungement case is different. Some cases may only take a few hours of work, while others might require multiple court appearances.Jul 12, 2018

Can police see expunged records NJ?

Once your record is expunged in New Jersey, under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-27 the arrest or conviction is “deemed not to have occurred.” You can legally deny that the expunged record exists in most cases. The records will also not be revealed through background checks conducted through the New Jersey State Police or the FBI.Dec 7, 2020

How do I check if my record is expunged in NJ?

You can call Expungement Unit of the New Jersey State Police to check on the status of their processing. Their phone number is 609-671-7900.

Who is eligible for expungement in NJ?

Under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-7, a person who has committed only one (or no) indictable offense during the course of his entire life will be eligible for an expungement. In other words, someone who was convicted of two or more indictable offenses cannot seek an expungement except under very specific conditions.

How can I get my record expunged for free in New Jersey?

Free Expungement Assistance for Low Income IndividualsNew Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJOPD) ... Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) ... New Jersey County Bar Associations. ... Northeast New Jersey Legal Services (NNJLS) ... New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. ... NJ Expungement Forms.Jun 28, 2017

How much does a lawyer cost for expungement in NJ?

The fee that Expungement Lawyers in New Jersey™ charge for expungement processing ranges from $1,285.00 including expenses to $3,985.00 plus expenses. In most instances, the fee is $1,485.00.Jan 15, 2022

How do you spell expungement?

Expungement (also called "expunction") is a court-ordered process in which the legal record of an arrest or a criminal conviction is "forgotten." Another way to see it is erasing a record in the eyes of the law or setting aside a criminal conviction.Nov 23, 2021

How long does a misdemeanor stay on your record in New Jersey?

Am I eligible to have my record expunged in New Jersey?Type of OffenseStandard Waiting PeriodEarly PathwayDisorderly Person's Offense (misdemeanor)5 years3 yearsMunicipal Ordinance Violations2 yearsn/aJuvenile Delinquency3 yearsn/aYoung Drug Offenders1 year for possession or use of CDSn/a4 more rows

How long does a clean slate expungement take in NJ?

How long does the expungement process take? The process can take six to eight months, depending on several factors, including the offense(s) in question, how old the case is, and whether the prosecutor objects.Feb 17, 2022

How long does a criminal background check take in NJ?

within 10 business daysYour scanned fingerprints are sent electronically to the New Jersey State Police Criminal Information Unit for processing. You should receive a response within 10 business days. If you do not receive a response after 10 business days, contact the New Jersey State Police Criminal Information Unit at (609) 882-2000, ext.

How long does it take to get a conviction expunged in New Jersey?

Once automatic procedures are in place, the New Jersey courts will automatically expunge an entire record of arrests and convictions after ten years of living a crime-free life. You can have one indictable offense, plus up to three disorderly persons offenses, expunged five years after completion of supervision.

What is expungement in New Jersey?

Expungement is the legal process used to clear an arrest or criminal conviction from your record. Title 2C of the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice contains New Jersey's expungement laws.

How many indictable offenses can you have in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, you may have one indictable offense or felony expunged. See N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2 (2019). For disorderly persons offenses and petty disorderly persons offenses – the equivalent of a misdemeanor in other states – you may have up to two offenses expunged if you don't have any prior criminal history.

How long can you have your convictions expunged?

Under a new “clean slate” provision, you may be eligible to have your entire arrest and convictions ten years after completion of supervision. Even if you were previously unable to expunge an offense because of an earlier expungement or multiple indictable offenses, you can now expunge your entire record.

How long does a drug charge last?

The drug offense was for possession or use of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS); It has been at least one year since the end of your conviction, termination of probation or parole or discharge from custody, whichever is later; You've met all the conditions of your parole or probation;

Can you get a DUI expunged in New Jersey?

No, you cannot have any motor vehicle offenses expunged from your record in New Jersey. Expungements are limited to criminal records, and a DUI is a traffic offense. New Jersey law states, “ [n]othing contained in this chapter shall apply to arrests or conviction for motor vehicle offenses contained in Title 39.”.

Can you expunge a conviction in New Jersey?

Under New Jersey law, you can use the legal process to clear a criminal conviction or arrest from your record through expungement in some cases. In December of 2019, the New Jersey legislature instituted major revisions to New Jersey's expungement law. Lawmakers intended to make the expungement process more accessible and more flexible.

Records You Will Need for the Expungement

In order to prepare your expungement petition, you will need to gather the following information:

How to Locate the Records

Okay, that’s the information you need, but how do you find it? The easiest way would be if you had a lawyer that represented you for the charges. He or she may well have it in your case file. If you didn’t have a lawyer or cannot locate him, there are some other places you could go.

I Can Help!

As I said, an expungement petition is a detailed document, and it is easy to make a mistake and leave things out. Although it is something you could do yourself, it isn't always a good idea. Doing it incorrectly could lead to months of frustration and delays in getting you the relief you need.

Related Topics

If you liked this information and found it useful, then you might like or need these others:

How long do you have to wait to get your sentence expunged?

In most cases, you must wait five years after your sentence is served. All fines and fees must be paid. Sometimes, you can file for expungement after 4 years. You can expunge no more than one indictable conviction and up to three disorderly persons offenses or petty disorderly persons offenses.

What is an expungement in court?

An expungement is the removal, sealing, impounding, or isolation of all records on file within any court, detention or correctional facility, law enforcement or criminal justice agency. A court-ordered expungement can remove the following information:

Can you translate the New Jersey Judiciary website?

The Website of the State of New Jersey Judiciary (Judiciary) may be translated for your convenience using software powered by Google Translate, a free online language translation service that can translate text and web pages into different languages.

Can a drug court be expunged?

The court can order an immediate expungement if a case is dismissed or the defendant is acquitted and found not guilty on all counts. Drug Court Expungement - N.J.S.A. 2C:35-14 (m) The court can order the drug court expungement when you graduate from drug court.

How long does it take to get an expungement in New Jersey?

Currently, the entire New Jersey expungement process takes approximately six months to complete – although it could take more or less time, depending on your case. At Katherine O’Brien Law, we understand that time is of the essence for most of our expungement clients. For this reason, we strive to do anything we can on our end to expedite your expungement.

What happens after an expungement in New Jersey?

After your expungement petition has been filed with the court, the judge assigned to handle your expungement will schedule a hearing date for your expungement. At the hearing, the judge will make a decision as to whether to grant or deny your expungement. Your original hearing date may be extended if the County Prosecutor or if the New Jersey State Police require more time to retrieve and review your file.

How to get a criminal record expunged in New Jersey?

Generally, the following steps would occur when expunging your criminal record in New Jersey: Step 1. Obtain Criminal Records. The first step in the expungement procedure in New Jersey is to obtain a copy of your criminal record (s). This would include your Judgment of Conviction (if your charges were at the felony level) or your Disposition ...

What happens if the prosecutor objects to an expungement?

If the County Prosecutor objects to your expungement, they will send us a letter explaining the reason for their objection. We will then draft either a letter or a legal brief to the judge responding to the County Prosecutor’s objection. You should note that an objection does not mean that your expungement is denied.

How long does it take to get a copy of a criminal record in New Jersey?

If not, we will write to the court to obtain the requisite record. Depending on the court, it can take anywhere from a couple of days to up to one month for the court to supply us with a copy of your record. CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO OBTAIN A COPY OF YOUR CRIMINAL RECORD IN NEW JERSEY. Step 2.

Can you extend your hearing date in New Jersey?

Your original hearing date may be extended if the County Prosecutor or if the New Jersey State Police require more time to retrieve and review your file. In most cases, you do not have to attend the hearing or make an appearance unless the County Prosecutor objects to your expungement.

How long does it take to get a felony conviction expunged in New Jersey?

For example, although the standard time period to expunge a felony conviction in New Jersey is 10 years from the date the petitioner completed their sentence, the petitioner can apply for an early pathway expungement as long as it has been at least 5 years since they completed their sentence.

How long do you have to wait to expunge a municipal ordinance in New Jersey?

For example, if you are seeking to expunge a municipal ordinance violation, you must wait at least two years.

What happens if you object to an expungement in New Jersey?

Once an expungement in New Jersey is objected to, however, it is considered a “complex expungement.”.

How to contact expungement lawyer in New Jersey?

If you have questions on any of the reasons expungements are objected to, call us now for your free consultation. You can reach us at 856-832-2482.

What happens if you don't disclose your criminal record?

A failure to disclose your entire criminal history on your expungement petition will most certainly result in the state objecting to your expungement. The prosecutor assigned to handle your expungement will conduct an exhaustive investigation into your criminal history.

Why do expungement petitions get rejected in New Jersey?

You failed to disclose your entire criminal record. Perhaps the most common reason why New Jersey expungement prosecutors object to expungement petitions is due to the petitioner’s failure to disclose their entire criminal record. A failure to disclose your entire criminal history ...

What are the requirements to be eligible for expungement?

3. You have too many convictions and/or offenses on your record. In order to be eligible for expungement, a number of requirements must be met. One of these requirements is that you must not have too many prior convictions on your record.

How to expunge a conviction in New Jersey?

Every state has its own process for expungements. In New Jersey, you start the process by preparing an Expungement Petition, which includes certain required documentation. You’ll then file these documents with the Superior Court in the county where your arrest or conviction took place .

How long does it take to get an early pathway expungement in New Jersey?

Early expungement is possible after five years instead of six years for indictable offenses, and after three years instead of five years for disorderly persons offenses. To get early expungement:

What happens if you expunge a record?

As a result of expungement, any record of your arrest or conviction will be removed from public view. This means background checks will no longer reveal them. But the records will not be destroyed. As described below under Future Uses of Expunged Records, your expunged record may still be used in limited circumstances.

How long is the waiting period for an indictable offense in New Jersey?

As part of the changes to New Jersey’s expungement laws that took effect on October 1, 2018, the waiting period for an indictable offense was shortened from ten to six years. The waiting period is five years for a disorderly persons offense and two years for a municipal ordinance violation.

What is expungement in New Jersey?

But in general, “expungement” is the legal process of clearing an arrest or conviction from your record. New Jersey’s expungement laws are published in sections 2C:52-1 through 2C:52-32 of the official New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A.).

What happens if a judge expunges a record in New Jersey?

The Expungement Order will direct all New Jersey criminal justice and law enforcement agencies to remove and isolate your record from their databases. This means your expunged record will no longer appear on background checks.

How to get a copy of your criminal record?

Get copies of your criminal record. If possible, it’s a good idea to go in person to the court that handled your offense to get a copy of the disposition. A disposition is an official document that shows the outcome of your case. If you go in person, you can usually get your record the same day.

How Long to Get An Expungement? It Depends!

  • The problem is, there is no set standard time frame. How long it takes can depend on your situation and how involved your petition for expungement is. Are you trying to wipe out a conviction on a single local ordinance violation or is it a mixed bag of local ordinances, arrests, disorderly person's offenses and crimes? Each of these types requires ...
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How Long Can It be?

  • I recently handled a fairly straightforward expungement for a client. It was filed on July 16, and the order for expungement was entered on September 16, two months later. The prosecutor had no objection to the petition, so it went through on the first court date. However, the preparation process was protracted because certain necessary information needed for the court paperwork …
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Best to Get Your Expungement Started Now!

  • No matter what, if you need to get an expungement, the sooner you start the better. Get together the information you will need and call a lawyer. If you are looking to expunge some arrests and/or convictions in your past in the Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem or Cumberland County, area, have decided that you need an expungement and are ready to take action, then call me righ…
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Related Topics

  • If you liked this information and found it useful, then you might like or need these others: 1. What Information Do I Need to File for an Expungement? 2. Expunging a Disorderly or Petty Disorderly Persons Offense 3. Expunging a Conviction Under a Local Ordinance 4. Expunging an Arrest 5. What Are the Exceptions to Expungement? 6. Can an Expungement be Denied?
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Records You Will Need For The Expungement

  • In order to prepare your expungement petition, you will need to gather the following information: 1. The date of your arrest or complaint, or date you were taken into custody; 2. The statute(s) and the offense(s) for which you were arrested and convicted (note that, if the offenses were reduced from the original charges, these will be different); 3...
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How to Locate The Records

  • Okay, that’s the information you need, but how do you find it? The easiest way would be if you had a lawyer that represented you for the charges. He or she may well have it in your case file. If you didn’t have a lawyer or cannot locate him, there are some other places you could go. 1. For indictable convictions and arrests, contact the Criminal Case Management Office for the county …
See more on richardsonlawoffices.com

I Can Help!

  • As I said, an expungement petition is a detailed document, and it is easy to make a mistake and leave things out. Although it is something you coulddo yourself, it isn't always a good idea. Doing it incorrectly could lead to months of frustration and delays in getting you the relief you need. If you are looking to expunge some arrests and/or convictions in your past in the Burlington, Camd…
See more on richardsonlawoffices.com

Related Topics

  • If you liked this information and found it useful, then you might like or need these others: 1. What is an "expungement"? 2. Are there any exceptions to an expungement? 3. Can I Expunge a Minor NJ Criminal Offense? 4. Can I Expunge the Violation of a Municipal Ordinance?
See more on richardsonlawoffices.com