You are ready to move forward, but your Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) has not been updated, and even dismissed charges can limit access to housing, employment, and education. The legal process for sealing or expunging a record in our state is technical and demanding. One mistake can delay your relief or keep your past in public view longer than necessary.
At Erkan & Sullivan, PC, our defense attorneys bring over 40 years of combined criminal law experience to these cases. We prepare focused, fact-driven petitions and advocate aggressively for results. Every case is personal, and when it comes to clearing your record, you deserve the experience and urgency of an Andover expungement lawyer.
Record relief in Massachusetts falls into two categories: sealing and expungement. Sealing a record makes it invisible to most employers, landlords, and licensing boards, but does not remove it from law enforcement databases. Most convictions may be sealed after a waiting period. This is usually three years for misdemeanors and seven years for felonies, under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276 § 100A. Dismissed charges, not guilty findings, and non-criminal dispositions may qualify for earlier sealing through a motion filed under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276 § 100C.
Expungement is more limited but provides complete deletion of the record. A court may allow expungement under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276 § 100K if the record resulted from a clear error or misidentification, or if the offense is no longer a crime, such as certain marijuana charges. If you qualify for record expungement in Andover, an attorney on our team will build a detailed petition that satisfies every statutory requirement.
The process of clearing a criminal record starts with a complete review of your CORI. For convictions, we calculate eligibility and check for any additional disqualifying offenses. We determine whether early sealing is available and justified for dismissals or non-prosecutions.
To pursue sealing or annulment, our Andover lawyers prepare and file the appropriate petitions, appear in court if needed, and ensure your case meets all procedural and evidentiary standards. We handle:
These cases are personal. We take the time to understand your goals and build a plan that fits your situation, not just the statute.
Clearing your record makes a difference. Most private employers, landlords, or agencies cannot access a sealed record. In most cases, you can legally state that you have no record. Expungement is even more powerful. It deletes the record from all state systems, as if it never existed.
A petition for expungement may be available if your record was created due to mistaken identity, police or court error, fraud, or conduct that has since been decriminalized. An expungement attorney from our firm in Andover will evaluate your case and identify whether full removal or sealing offers the best solution for your situation.
Many clients pursue record relief to rebuild their lives, get a job, apply for housing, or obtain a professional license. The law provides that opportunity, but only if you take the right steps.
State law gives you the right to seek relief from an old criminal record, but the process is demanding and highly technical. An Andover expungement lawyer from our firm will identify your eligibility, prepare a clear path forward, and take action to help you move on with confidence.
At Erkan & Sullivan, PC, we approach every case with focus, urgency, and respect for what is at stake, so contact us today for legal help. Our attorneys know the law, understand the courts, and deliver strategies built around real results.
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