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Photo Of Kyle B. Sawyer

Charged With A Crime? It Doesn’t Mean You’re Guilty.

Criminal Record Sealing of Convictions – A Denver Lawyer Explains the Rules

On Behalf of | Feb 12, 2016 | Record Sealing |

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Benefits of Sealing Your Criminal Conviction in Denver

Record sealing of a Denver conviction makes it so your arrest, jail, and court records are no longer available for public review. This is a powerful step to giving you an even chance at employment and housing in Denver and across Colorado. Sealing involves adult records while expungement involves juvenile records. Most criminal convictions are not sealable, but some are.  We will explain the rules of sealing criminal convictions below.  Read more on criminal convictions sealing.

Municipal Conviction Records Sealing – Arvada, Westminster and Aurora

A municipal court is one operated by a city, as opposed to a county. Most crimes are prosecuted under state law. City law is generally the better place to be prosecuted due to the more generous rules on record sealing of your criminal record there. Under C.R.S. 24-72-708, Colorado law provides that municipal court records of convictions can be sealed, after a wait of 3 years following the completion of the case. Completion means it is completely done – no more probation, restitution or fines. There are other conditions to sealing a municipal conviction, like you cannot have a later conviction or charge for a crime, commercial drivers can’t seal traffic matters, police can still see the crime, and restitution must be paid in full. This relatively new law means that you can put your past behind you if you pled guilty, took a plea bargain resulting in a conviction, or were found guilty at trial. It is important to note that sealing these crimes does not mean the conviction is vacated. You were still convicted.

Petty Crime Convictions Record Sealing in Arapahoe County and Douglas County Courts

Similar to municipal convictions, if you received a conviction for a petty offense in state court, you can have that sealed provided you have waited three years following the completion of the case. Petty offenses are for things like small amounts of marijuana, some minor shoplifting offenses, some traffic crimes, an MIP, some disorderly conduct cases, and others. Getting your record free from these offenses is a very valuable thing, son don’t delay in getting your criminal record sealed.

Sealing Drug Crime Records of Convictions in Adams County and Jefferson County

Many convictions for drug offenses involving possession can now be sealed. Overall, if you were charged with possession of a drug it can be sealed, and if you were convicted of selling, dealing, distribution or manufacturing, it cannot be sealed. The drug offense conviction must have occurred after July 1, 2011. For drug offenses which are a petty offense or a class 1 and class 2 misdemeanor drug crime, you can apply to have them sealed after waiting 3 years following the completion of your case. If the drug crime was classified as a class 1 misdemeanor, you can apply to have it sealed following a five year wait. A class 5 or 6 felony drug possession conviction can be attempted after a seven year wait.  Learn more about sealing of criminal records.

There are many other requirements for sealing a drug crime conviction, petty offense conviction or municipal conviction, so call our record sealing lawyers for a free in office consultation. We will sit down with you and evaluate whether you meet the detailed requirements under Colorado law to seal your criminal conviction. Also, remember that the rules on convictions are very different than the rules on sealing records where your case was dismissed or you were not found guilty.  Call us at 303-731-0719, and we will get together to talk. Together, we can protect your future.

Image Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net – Stuart Miles