Expungement / Record Sealing

It’s Time For What’s Next.

Housing, Benefits, or Employment Issues Because of Your Criminal Record? Bob Can Help!

Contact the Law Offices of Robert J. White for help with sealing or expunging your Massachusetts criminal record. Even if you don’t meet the criteria to have your record totally expunged, you can benefit from the record sealing protections of Massachusetts Law. Call or email our office today to learn how we can help get your life back on track.

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Expungement and Record Sealing FAQ

What is the difference between having my record sealed vs expunged in Massachusetts?

Sealing your record (the easier and more common option) will prevent most people (employers, public housing, other general background checks) from seeing any criminal records which have been “sealed.” If the employer or agency runs your CORI and any/all cases have been sealed, the employer or agency won’t see anything come up. Of course there are exceptions. Certain charges are not eligible for sealing and some employers/agencies can still see sealed records. Talk to Bob today for more information about your specific circumstances.

Expungement is a much more narrow process. In order to be eligible, you must have no more than two offenses and have been under 21 at the time of the crime you want expunged. There are additional limitations around the types of crimes which are eligible. Still, if you do qualify for expungement, this option actually forces the Commonwealth to delete and destroy all evidence of your criminal conviction. Whereas a “sealed” record still exists in the larger databases used by the Commonwealth and other law enforcement, expungement permanently deletes that record so it cannot later be revived.

Is record sealing an easy process?

Relatively speaking, yes, especially if enough time has passed to make you automatically eligible. If more than three years have passed since the date of your misdemeanor conviction (or release) or seven years have passed since your felony (conviction or release) you should contact our office immediately to get your criminal records sealed. Even if the 3 or 7 year time window hasn’t passed, you may still be eligible to have your records sealed if we can show the court that having a criminal record is preventing you from taking positive steps forward in your life (like trouble getting a job or being denied for housing). The Law Office of Robert J. White handles these cases every day — call or email us to speak with Bob about your specific case today!

It hasn’t been long enough, is it really worth hiring an attorney now or is the court just going to reject me no matter what I say?

It is definitely worth at least speaking to an attorney to see if you meet the criteria for a “discretionary” sealing under G.L. c. 276, §100C. We will have a hearing where the court looks at whether any of the following issues have occurred as a result of you having a criminal record:

Your CORI presents barriers to housing & employment opportunities
Your CORI puts you in disadvantage in applying for jobs/housing
You were denied a job or at risk of job rejection, unemployment, underemployment
You have trouble getting housing/ are homeless/ at risk of homelessness
Prospective employers use CORI checks in your present place of employment or employment you would like to seek
Reduced opportunity for promotion/internship/higher paying job
Problems with volunteering/community service
The overall amount of time passed since case
Are you sober and/or making rehabilitation efforts
Self improvement- classes/training/GED/degree
Volunteer/community work
Whether you have successfully completed probation; mental health or substance abuse treatment
No further contact with CJ system
If you were young at time of offense (other situation at time of offense)
Any stigma/stereotype related to the case
The reason for dismissal or other resolution of the case

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