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If you have a criminal record in New York you may be eligible to get that record sealed. Having a New York criminal record can prevent you from getting a job, getting approved for housing applications and even traveling abroad among other things. By sealing your record you will be given an opportunity for a second chance. New York offers a way for reformed individuals to file for their record to be hidden from public view by having their old conviction sealed. Having a sealed record will open up many more opportunities that you are currently being denied because of your criminal record.

We are the top record clearing law firm in the nation and we are committed to helping individuals like you with their post-conviction matters; we want to help you attain a record sealing so that you can change your life for the better.

Record Sealing in New York

The newly enacted New York Criminal Procedure Law Section 160.59, which went into effect on October 7, 2017, allows a defendant to petition the court to seal up to two eligible convictions, including up to one felony. It must also be at least ten years since your last conviction and you must not have had any new offenses in that time. Once sealed, the convictions are no longer available to the public and are only accessible in in very limited circumstances which are listed lower down the page.

Who is Eligible?

You are generally eligible to have your case sealed if it has been 10 years since you completed the sentence for your last conviction and you have no more than two (2) convictions. Of which, only one may be a felony.

You also cannot seal any of the following types of convictions:

• Any sex offense under PL 130
• Any offense under PL 263
• A felony offense under PL 125
• Any �violent felony offense� (specifically defined under PL 70.02)
• Any class A felony offense.
• Any felony offense under PL 205 (if predicate/underlying offense is among the ineligible offenses
• Any felony attempt to commit any of offense that is ineligible.
• Any offense that requires registration as sex offender.

What�s the Process?

The sealing is an adversarial process. Meeting the eligibility requirements is the key to unlock the door, but is not sufficient on its own to have your record sealed. The record sealing relief is a discretionary relief, meaning the judge is not obligated to grant your petition for sealing just because you have met the minimum eligibility requirements. Our expert attorneys can assist you with this stressful process to help you get your record sealed. All we would need from you is information about your life that we can use to demonstrate how you are a rehabilitated person deserving of this relief. We will draft and prepare the petition, obtain court records where confidentiality rules allow us to, and respond to any objections the district attorney may file.

If the district attorney objects to the petition for sealing, then the judge will hold a hearing where oral arguments will be heard. Our attorneys have a lot of experience arguing client deservingness in court and know how to present the best argument for your case with our proven track record of over 19,000 records successfully cleared.

What Does A Sealing Do?

The New York sealing removes the record from public view and prevents it from being given to public and private agencies, with very limited exceptions. The effect is most background checks will not display your sealed record so you may apply for the job you want without worrying about an adverse background check result.

There are some exceptions to the sealing and certain agencies/individuals may still have access to the record. The exceptions are narrow and include:

• You and anyone you authorize to access your record.
• Qualified law enforcement and judicial agencies when acting in the scope of their official duties.
• State or local officer responsible for issuance of licenses to possess guns, when the applicant has made an application for such a license.
• Law enforcement offices when you are seeking employment with such an agency.
• The FBI for the purposes of firearms background checks when an application is made to purchase or take possession of a firearm.
• If you are charged for a new crime after receiving a sealing, the sealed record may still be used against you in sentencing.

It does not destroy the record, nor does it restore civil rights. If you are seeking a restoration of your rights and a sealed record, you may need to file for both a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities/Certificate of Good Conduct and a sealing. Our firm specializes in both services and can offer you a discount if you retain us for both services.

How Much Does this Cost?

Our flat fee includes all costs. We will conduct the research, file the necessary motions, respond to written or oral opposition from the District Attorney and send one of our licensed attorneys to court to argue the case in front of the judge if necessary.

We also have a low-price guarantee. Just show us a New York competitor�s quote or ad and we will gladly match it.

View all of the Conviction Record Sealing Frequently Asked Questions.