Having a criminal charge or conviction on your record can constantly hold you back as you endeavor to move forward in life. If you have the dedication to make a better future for yourself, it may be time to seek expungement or sealing of your past criminal record.
When you apply for a job or home rental, any prior misdeeds will come up on a Colorado criminal history check. You can take the first steps toward clearing your name by understanding what types of crimes are eligible for expunging or sealing.
What crimes are eligible for expungement?
The state of Colorado considers expungement and sealing to be two different processes. Expungement typically refers to the process of removing certain acts of juvenile delinquency from the public record. After a not guilty verdict, dismissal of the case or the completion of the sentence, the juvenile or their representative can petition for expungement after an applicable waiting period.
What crimes are eligible for sealing?
The sealing of criminal records applies specifically to adult criminal records. There is an automatic or simplified process when sealing records in which the case did not result in filed charges or an entered conviction. Certain convictions are ineligible for sealing, however, including:
- DUIs and DWAIs
- Class 1, 2 and 3 felonies
- Level 1 drug felonies
- Class 1 and 2 misdemeanor traffic offenses
- Class A and B traffic infractions
While expungement and sealing of records are interchangeable in some states, Colorado only expunges juvenile offenses and seals adult criminal records. Keep in mind that while some convictions are eligible for sealing, others will remain on the public record permanently.