Sealing Criminal Records
Gard Law Firm is an experienced law firm providing effective legal representation throughout the state of Colorado. We enjoy a reputation for providing excellent legal work and are fortunate to claim that our work comes by “word of mouth.” We have successfully sealed the criminal records in numerous cases and are confident that we can help you or someone you care about.
Over the last several years and, with the proliferation of information over the Internet, numerous companies engage in the business of accumulating and selling personal information, including arrest and criminal records. It is critical that you take every step to ensure that you seal your criminal record is not made available to the public.
The Importance of Sealing Your Record
Criminal convictions can have a huge impact on your life. You could lose a job, or not be hired for one, be denied a loan, housing, etc. If you have the opportunity to seal your record, you should make every effort to do so. In most cases, once a record is sealed all criminal justice agencies will inform the public that no such criminal records exist.
Further, in most cases employers, state and local government agencies, officials, landlords, and employees cannot require a person to disclose any information contained in sealed conviction records in any application or interview.
We have successfully helped hundreds of clients seal their records and finally close that unfortunate chapter in their lives.
The procedure for sealing the record:
A petition or motion requesting that the record be sealed must be filed in the District Court or into the original court where conviction entered. All of the criminal justice agencies who maintain the record must be provided with notice and an opportunity to object to the petition to seal.
If the petition to seal is granted by the Judge, under most circumstances, you would not be obligated to disclose any information contained in the sealed records to any employer, educational institution, state or local government agency, officials, and employees in any application or interview. However, please be advised that the arresting agency is permitted to share information contained in a sealed record when an inquiry is made by another criminal justice agency.
What can you do if your record cannot be sealed?
If for some reason you are not eligible to seal your arrest and criminal record, we have developed a method to help you explain your legal situation when asked in an application or interview. We have found that by being honest about your criminal history, as well as giving examples of the “life lessons” you learned in the process, can help you obtain and advance in your employment, education or other endeavors. Honesty is the best policy and can help an employer understand your side of the story. This approach has helped many people convince the employer to take a chance on them even with a checkered past.
Client Testimonial
“Mr. Jeff Gard is a humble attorney that I had the privilege to represent me. This man was one of many I interviewed to take my case and he was the only one truly looking for my best interests. I will and have recommended Gard Law Firm for friends and people I love, in their time of need. Anyone who is in that situation should feel confident that this team will deliver success and peace of mind. Thank you Jeff for being there in my life when I needed you.”
~ Ash N. ~
*Special Note
All of the cases, set forth above are for purposes of example, and are not and should not be construed as a guarantee or predictor of future result.