How much does it cost to expunge your record in Illinois?
Asked by: Elenor Schinner MD | Last update: April 9, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (28 votes)
Effective October 1, 2024, Requests to Expunge and/or Seal are filed as MX (Miscellaneous Criminal) cases. The filing fee for expungement/sealing is $215.00, which covers the cost of filing the petition, copy fees, mailing and postage fees for required notices, and fees to the Illinois State Police.
How much does an expungement cost in Illinois?
Expunging Your Record ($375.00)
Preparing petitions, orders, notices, and any corroborating documents. Making court appearances and arguing your case before the judge and filing motions to reconsider, if necessary. The attorney's fee for expunging your record is $375.00.
Will my expunged record show up on a background check in Illinois?
It must be a 5 panel drug test. What Happens After a Case Is Expunged or Sealed? Once a judge signs an order to expunge or seal, the Clerk of the Circuit Court will remove all records from their system including their public access system so the information does not appear on a background check.
What is the waiting period for expungement in Illinois?
Cases that result in supervision require 2 years from the successful completion of the sentence before the records can be expunged. Cases that result in qualified probations require 5 years from the successful completion of the sentence before the records can be expunged.
How much does a pardon cost in Illinois?
Illinois Pardon Cost
The processing of applying for a pardon in Illinois can be a costly one. It's not atypical for some attorneys in Illinois to charge upwards of $5,000 for clemency services.
📝HOW TO EXPUNGE FELONY CRIMINAL RECORD || 5 Steps
What is the difference between a pardon and a full pardon?
A pardon may be full or conditional. It is conditional when its effectiveness depends on fulfillment of a condition by the offender, usually a lesser punishment, as in the commutation of the death sentence. The effect of a full pardon is unclear in some jurisdictions.
Does a pardon remove guilt?
A pardon is an expression of the President's forgiveness and ordinarily is granted in recognition of the applicant's acceptance of responsibility for the crime and established good conduct for a significant period of time after conviction or completion of sentence. It does not signify innocence.
Can I file an expungement myself in Illinois?
To file an expungement or sealing petition in person, you must go to the courthouse in the county (or district) that has your records. Hand your petition directly to the circuit court clerk and pay the filing fee.
Can felonies be expunged?
California Law
For example, in California, felony convictions can only be expunged if: no time was served in state prison, felony probation was successfully completed, and. you are not currently facing criminal charges, on probation, or serving another sentence.
What is the new expungement law in Illinois?
Illinois became the 23rd state that will automatically expunge a juvenile's record in certain circumstances. The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
Who can see your record after expungement?
Also, certain government agencies will almost always have access to expunged records. Courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, and other criminal justice agencies can access expunged records for future criminal investigations and charging and sentencing decisions.
How far back can a background check go in Illinois?
How Far Back Does a Background Check Go in Illinois? The FCRA limits reporting on any criminal arrests that failed to result in a conviction that occurred more than seven years ago. If the candidate is being considered for a position that pays a salary of at least $75,000 this time restriction does not apply.
Can FBI see expunged records?
A Level 2 FBI Background Check
A Level 2 check will even uncover those sealed or expunged records – especially if they involve the mistreatment of children, the elderly, or the disabled.
How can I get my record expunged for free in Illinois?
A fee waiver allows you to file for free, or at a reduced cost. You must send a copy of your Motion and Notice of Motion forms to the State's Attorney, Arresting Agencies, Chief Legal Officer of the Unit of Local Government, and Illinois State Police. Learn more about filing a motion.
Does Illinois have automatic expungement?
It is important to know that there is no automatic expungement of adult arrest or criminal court records in Illinois. Even if you were only arrested and never charged or your case was later dismissed or you were found not guilty, those records all exist until you actively seek to expunge them.
Can I get my record expunged twice?
Expungement Procedures
If a person wants to expunge records of multiple cases, he or she must file more than one petition. The judge must review the petitioner's file and determine whether he or she meets that jurisdiction's requirements.
What felonies cannot be expunged in Illinois?
Violent Crimes encompass offenses such as murder, attempted murder, and aggravated battery. These crimes involve significant harm or threat of harm to individuals, making them ineligible for expungement. Convictions for a felony or misdemeanor offense also cannot be expunged.
How do I apply for the Clean Slate Program in Illinois?
To apply for the Clean Slate Program, people must complete an application and provide proof that they could not make their child support payments during the "assistance period" because the applicant: (1) was unemployed; (2) incarcerated; or (3) had a serious illness which prevented them from paying child support.
How long does a felony stay on your record in Illinois?
In Illinois, crimes stay on your record forever unless you take steps to expunge or seal them. This means that unless you act, your criminal record will be accessible to employers, landlords, and others who conduct background checks.
Is a pardon better than an expungement?
Unlike expungement, a pardon does not erase a criminal record. Instead, it is a formal forgiveness for the crime, relieving the individual from the legal consequences associated with the conviction.
How many people did Obama pardon?
Of the acts of clemency, 1,715 were commutations (including 504 life sentences) and 212 were pardons. Most individuals granted executive clemency by Obama had been convicted on drug charges, and had received lengthy and sometimes mandatory sentences at the height of the war on drugs.
What are the consequences of being pardoned?
A presidential pardon relieves the offender of all punishments, penalties, and disabilities that flow directly from the conviction, provided that no rights have vested in a third party as a consequence of the judgment.
What are the three forms of pardon?
Types of Pardoning Powers: Includes Pardon (complete absolution), Commutation (lesser punishment), Remission (reduced sentence term), Respite (lesser sentence due to special circumstances), and Reprieve (temporary suspension).
Who qualifies for clemency?
Eligibility Criteria
∎ Commutation Eligibility: Anyone who has been convicted of a crime in California is eligible for a commutation, except for goverment officials who have been impeached (see, California Constitution Article V, Section 8(a)).