Frequently Asked Questions

Expungement is available if your case was nollied (not prosecuted), dismissed, or you were acquitted at trial. An expunged file is “impounded”, which means it is virtually destroyed and no longer exists. Police departments will destroy their record of your arrest. It may also be available for some cases with a successful supervision or first-time drug probation. Please contact Coalition Legal for a free consultation to determine if you are eligible to expunge.

Sealing is available if your case resulted in a conviction. This can be a fine, probation, conditional discharge, jail or prison sentence. A sealed file continues to exist but it is not available to the public. It is removed from online court record searches, but it can still be accessed by law enforcement. Most employers will not find sealed records, as they are available only to certain employers that are allowed to require fingerprint background checks. Landlords will never see sealed records. Please contact Coalition Legal for a free consultation to determine if you are eligible to seal.

A Governor’s Pardon is available for a conviction that is either not eligible for sealing, or where a petition to seal has been denied. A pardon vacates the conviction and allows it to be expunged. Applications for a pardon are lengthy, and the applicant must appear before the Prisoner Review Board. Please contact Coalition Legal for a free consultation to determine if we can assist with a pardon application.

Certificates of Good Conduct or Rehabilitation can be granted by a court when expungement or sealing are not available. These attest to the court’s determination that you have rehabilitated yourself even though you may still have a criminal record.

The Illinois Department of Public Health offers Health Care Waivers where they are satisfied that the conduct will not impact the public’s safety.

• Driving : DUI and Reckless Driving if you were over 25.

• Domestic Battery, Violating an Order of Protection or No Stalking Order.

• Battery to an Unborn Child.

• Most Sexual offenses.

• Animal Cruelty cases.

Coalition Legal is authorized to qualify clients for filing fee waivers if they meet statutory eligibility requirements.