Record Sealing Lawyer Union County, NJ
Clearing a criminal record in Union County, New Jersey, can open doors to employment, housing, and professional licensing that a past arrest or conviction may be blocking. Record sealing—often referred to as expungement—is the legal process that removes eligible arrests, charges, and convictions from public view. Because New Jersey’s expungement laws have expanded significantly in recent years and because each petition must be filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Union Vicinage, working with an attorney who knows the local court and the evolving statutory framework can make a meaningful difference. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., and his Of Counsel team concentrate their practice on criminal defense matters, including record sealing, and represent clients across Union County—including Elizabeth, Union Township, Plainfield, Westfield, Scotch Plains, Cranford, Summit, Linden, Rahway, Clark, Roselle, and Springfield. To discuss your record with an experienced criminal defense attorney, call (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Record Sealing Means in Union County, New Jersey
New Jersey allows individuals to expunge—or seal—criminal records under the expungement statute. When a record is expunged, the general public and most private employers cannot see the arrest or conviction. The New Jersey Clean Slate law, enacted in 2019, further expanded eligibility by permitting expungement of entire records after a period of time without a new offense. In Union County, expungement petitions are filed with the Superior Court of New Jersey, Union Vicinage, located at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. The court serves the 12th Vicinage, which handles all indictable (felony) matters and misdemeanor-equivalent disorderly persons offenses.
Under current law, waiting periods apply based on the offense level. For an indictable crime, the typical waiting period is five years after the most recent sentence, probation, or parole discharge. For a disorderly persons offense or petty disorderly persons offense, the waiting period is two years. Certain offenses—such as serious violent crimes, sex offenses, and most motor vehicle offenses—cannot be expunged. New Jersey’s Clean Slate law provides an additional path: a person who has remained offense-free for ten years after their most recent conviction, payment of fine, discharge from probation or parole, and release from incarceration may petition to expunge all offenses in their record. The Union County Superior Court evaluates each petition individually, and the prosecutor’s office may object; therefore, presenting a thorough and well-supported petition is crucial.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Record Sealing Cases
Every record-sealing matter begins with a careful review of the individual’s entire criminal history, including any arrests, disorderly persons convictions, and indictable convictions, to determine which matters are eligible for expungement. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel examine the statutory waiting periods, confirm that all fines and restitution have been satisfied, and identify any potential grounds for denial that should be addressed before filing. Once eligibility is confirmed, the team prepares the petition and proposed order, attaches certified dispositions and any required supporting documentation, and files the petition with the Union County Superior Court.
After filing, the prosecutor’s office is given notice and an opportunity to object. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel handle any objections and, when necessary, present the petitioner’s case at a hearing before the judge. Throughout the process, the firm keeps the client informed about scheduling, anticipated timelines, and what to expect at each stage. Because New Jersey’s expungement statute contains detailed procedural requirements, a single omission can delay or derail a petition. Having counsel who is familiar with the Union County court’s procedures helps ensure the process moves forward efficiently.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris is the Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. A former prosecutor, he founded the firm in 1997 and is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). His experience includes handling criminal matters at both the trial and appellate levels, and he concentrates his practice on complex criminal defense and record-sealing cases. Working alongside Mr. Sris is a team of Of Counsel attorneys who together bring over 120 years of combined legal experience. Results may vary. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have documented 4,739+ case results across all practice areas since 1997.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my New Jersey criminal record expunged?
Yes, many New Jersey arrests and convictions can be expunged after satisfying a statutory waiting period. Under the expungement statute, eligibility depends on the offense level and whether you have any other convictions. Indictable offenses typically require a five-year clean period, while disorderly persons offenses require two years. New Jersey’s Clean Slate law also allows expungement of an entire record after ten years without new offenses. Petitions are filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Union Vicinage, for Union County residents. Certain serious crimes and most motor vehicle offenses are not eligible. An experienced criminal lawyer can review your record and advise which matters are eligible.
What is the difference between expungement and record sealing in New Jersey?
New Jersey law uses the term “expungement” to describe what many states call record sealing. An expungement under the statute removes records from public access, meaning that in most circumstances you may lawfully answer “no” when asked about the expunged arrest or conviction on employment or housing applications. Certain government agencies and law enforcement may still access the records under specific circumstances. The terms “expungement” and “record sealing” are often used interchangeably in New Jersey practice, and the relief available is governed by the same statutory scheme.
How long does an expungement petition take in Union County?
The timeline for an expungement petition in Union County varies depending on the court’s calendar, the complexity of the record, and whether the prosecutor objects. After the petition is filed, the prosecutor’s office is given notice and has a period to respond. If no objection is filed, the court may grant the petition on the papers. If a hearing is scheduled, the matter is placed on the court’s calendar according to the judge’s availability. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work to move the petition through the process as efficiently as possible while ensuring all procedural requirements are met.
Do I need a lawyer to file for expungement in Union County?
You are not legally required to hire a lawyer to file an expungement petition, but the process involves detailed procedural rules and statutory requirements that can be difficult to navigate without legal training. A petition that is incomplete or incorrectly filed can be denied or significantly delayed. An experienced criminal defense attorney can identify all eligible matters in your record, prepare the necessary paperwork, and represent you at any hearing. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel offer representation throughout Union County and can discuss your record during a consultation. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.
What kinds of offenses cannot be expunged in New Jersey?
Certain serious offenses are ineligible for expungement under New Jersey law. These generally include murder, kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, robbery, arson, distribution of controlled substances, and most sex offenses requiring registration under Megan’s Law. Motor vehicle offenses (including DWI) are also not expungable. However, an arrest that resulted in a dismissal, acquittal, or pretreatment intervention completion may be eligible for expungement even if the underlying charge was serious. A review of your specific record by an attorney can determine which matters are eligible and whether any exceptions apply.
How does New Jersey’s Clean Slate law affect my record?
New Jersey’s Clean Slate law, effective in 2020, allows people with multiple eligible convictions to expunge their entire criminal record if they have remained offense-free for ten years. Unlike traditional expungement, which requires petitioning for individual offenses, Clean Slate permits sweeping relief after a single application. The ten-year period runs from the most recent of: last conviction, payment of fine, completion of probation or parole, or release from incarceration. Clean Slate does not apply to offenses that are never expungable, such as the serious crimes listed in the statute. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel can analyze your history to determine if Clean Slate is an option.
Experienced Record Sealing Counsel Serving Union County Communities
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents clients from all Union County municipalities, including Elizabeth, Union Township, Plainfield, Westfield, Scotch Plains, Cranford, Summit, Linden, Rahway, Clark, Roselle, and Springfield. The firm appears regularly at the Superior Court of New Jersey, Union Vicinage, at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207, and brings extensive experience with New Jersey expungement and criminal defense matters.
For additional resources on criminal defense in surrounding counties, you may find the following pages helpful:
- Criminal Defense in Hunterdon County
- Criminal Defense in Somerset County
- Criminal Defense in Morris County
- Criminal Defense in Bergen County
- Criminal Defense in Monmouth County
Official New Jersey Expungement Resources
These primary sources provide further information about expungement and record sealing in New Jersey. Links open in a new tab.
- New Jersey Legislature – N.J.S.A. Title 2C (New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice)
- New Jersey Courts – Expungement Self-Help Resources
- New Jersey Courts – Superior Court, Union Vicinage
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Attorney responsible for this advertising: Mr. Sris.
Results may vary.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.
