An Illinois resident living in Will County or Joliet who has previously been arrested and convicted of theft may have found it difficult to find a job with that conviction on their record. However, a person with a theft felony on their record does not have to continue to search for jobs only to have the potential employer do a background check and find a theft felony. In Illinois, an individual with a theft conviction can avoid have potential employers see that conviction by having his record sealed.
When a record is sealed, it cannot be seen by employers or other members of the public. Your record can still be seen by law enforcement agencies or by the public if a judge orders that they can see it. Some employers can still see criminal records that have been sealed. Your criminal convictions can be seen if you apply to work at any of the following places: hospital, school, any work with children, a firefighter, a police officer and a driver. (i.e. bus driver, limo driver, truck driver etc.)
Most felony convictions cannot be sealed. However certain class 3 and class 4 felonies can be sealed. Theft is included in both class 3 and 4 felonies that can be sealed. In order to seal an arrest, a Joliet or Will County resident must complete and file a petition to seal arrests and an order to seal arrests for the arrests an individual wants to seal. In order to seal convictions, an Illinois resident must complete and file a petition to seal convictions and an order to seal convictions. A Joliet or Will County resident should list all the convictions they want sealed on the petition.
It is probable that an Illinois resident wishing to seal his/her record will have to make a court appearance. If you are someone you know lives in Joliet or Will County, Illinois and would like to seal a previous theft arrest or conviction contact Hamilton & Antonsen at 815.729.9220 to set up a free consultation.