Expungement Lawyer in Fort Collins, CO 

Having a criminal record can affect many areas of your life long after your case concludes. Employment opportunities, housing applications, loans, and even admission to colleges or universities may be affected by a prior arrest, charge, or conviction. For noncitizens, criminal convictions can lead to immigration issues. Many of our clients feel frustrated or trapped by a record that no longer reflects their present character.

At The Law Offices of Thomas W. Martin, LLC, we work directly with you to evaluate your eligibility for record sealing or expungement under Colorado law. We can guide you through the legal process, accurately completing and filing all paperwork while advising on strategy and timing. By leveraging our knowledge of state statutes and local court procedures, we can help you minimize barriers to your future.

Schedule a free case review with our Fort Collins expungement attorney. Call (970) 444-9448 or submit our online contact form to make an office or convenient virtual appointment. 

Record Sealing vs. Expungement in Colorado

In Colorado, record sealing and expungement serve different purposes:

• Record sealing generally restricts public access to your criminal records, meaning potential employers or landlords cannot see your case. Sealed records may still be accessible to law enforcement and certain government agencies.
• Expungement actually removes the record from the court system entirely in certain circumstances, treating the case as if it never occurred. 

Both processes require filing petitions with the court; however, eligibility and procedures differ depending on whether the record is for an adult or a juvenile, the type of case, and its outcome.

Sealing or expunging records can stop colleges, employers, landlords, banks, and the public from accessing details about your case. This is especially important for individuals seeking to move past arrests, charges, or convictions that no longer accurately reflect their character or current circumstances.

Pursuing Record Clearance in Larimer & Weld Counties

We help clients determine if their records are eligible for sealing or expungement. Commonly, records may be eligible if:

• You were acquitted, found not guilty, or your case was dismissed.
• You were never formally charged, and the statute of limitations has expired.
• You are no longer under investigation, and no charges were filed.

Some records may not qualify for sealing or expungement, such as:

• Cases dismissed under a plea agreement with ongoing conditions.
• Cases for which court fees or fines remain unpaid.

Both juvenile and adult records may be eligible, but the process involves careful preparation, filing petitions with the court, and sometimes attending hearings. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney handle this process can significantly improve your chances of success.