Expungement Lawyer Burlington County, NJ
A criminal record can close doors—even after a case is resolved. If you have an arrest or conviction in Burlington County that still appears on background checks, a petition for expungement may allow you to move forward. The process follows New Jersey law and is handled through the Superior Court. At Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel represent clients in Burlington County who seek to clear their records. To discuss your eligibility, call (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Expungement Means in Burlington County, New Jersey
Expungement is a legal process that removes eligible arrests and convictions from a person’s publicly accessible criminal record. Under New Jersey law—specifically N.J.S.A. Title 2C—the Superior Court of New Jersey, Burlington Vicinage, can grant an expungement order that directs law enforcement and state agencies to remove the records from their active databases. A successful expungement means that for most civil purposes, the offense does not need to be disclosed on job applications, housing forms, or professional licensing applications.
In Burlington County, the court that decides expungement petitions sits at 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060. The waiting periods are set by statute: generally a five‑year waiting period for an indictable crime (the equivalent of a felony) and a two‑year waiting period for a disorderly persons offense (misdemeanor-level). New Jersey’s Clean Slate law added an alternative path that allows an expungement of all eligible records after ten years, even if the individual has multiple eligible convictions. Additionally, a person who successfully completes the Pre‑Trial Intervention (PTI) program sees the underlying charges dismissed, which can then support an expungement. Understanding which waiting period applies to your particular record requires a close review of your case history, the disposition, and the statutory classifications.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Expungement Cases
The expungement process begins with a thorough review of your criminal history. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel identify every docket number, examine the disposition of each charge, and verify that the required waiting period has been satisfied. When a record contains multiple matters, the analysis must consider whether the offenses are eligible and whether they must be addressed in a single petition or separate filings. Missing a detail can cause a petition to be denied, so careful preparation is essential.
Once eligibility is confirmed, the attorney prepares the verified petition and a proposed expungement order, then files both with the Burlington County Superior Court. Notice of the petition must be served on the appropriate agencies—the prosecutor’s office, the State Police, the local arresting agency, and sometimes others. The court may grant the petition on the papers or schedule a hearing. Throughout the process, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel handle the communications and filings so that you can focus on your life. Timelines depend on the court’s calendar and whether an objection is raised, but the team works to move the matter forward without unnecessary delay.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is 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). He concentrates his practice on complex criminal matters, including post‑conviction relief such as expungement.
Working alongside Mr. Sris is a team of experienced Of Counsel attorneys. All are engaged through Excella; the firm has no associates or partners. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and have achieved 4,739+ documented firm-wide results. Results may vary. The team appears regularly in New Jersey courts and serves clients throughout all 21 counties, including Burlington County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I expunge my NJ criminal record?
Yes, many New Jersey criminal records can be expunged after the statutory waiting period expires. Generally, an indictable crime requires a five‑year waiting period, while a disorderly persons offense requires two years from the date of conviction, payment of fine, completion of probation or release from incarceration, whichever is later. New Jersey’s Clean Slate law provides a separate, ten‑year path for those with multiple eligible convictions. To begin, a petition must be filed with the Superior Court in the county where the arrest or prosecution occurred. In Burlington County, that is the Superior Court of New Jersey, Burlington Vicinage, located at 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly. An experienced attorney can review your history and determine whether your specific record qualifies.
What records can be expunged in New Jersey?
Most arrests and convictions that are not excluded by statute may be expunged, including disorderly persons offenses and many indictable crimes. Traffic offenses such as a DWI are generally not eligible, and certain serious violent crimes—including murder, kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, and crimes against children—cannot be expunged. Municipal ordinance violations, conditional discharge resolutions, and PTI dismissals are also eligible once the applicable waiting period has run. The Clean Slate law expanded eligibility so that a person with multiple convictions can clear the entire record after ten years, provided no disqualifying offenses remain. Because statutory exclusions are detailed, a case‑specific review is essential before a petition is prepared.
How long does the expungement process take in Burlington County?
The timeline depends on the court’s calendar and whether any party objects, but many uncontested petitions are resolved within a few months. After the petition is filed, the prosecutor and other noticed agencies have an opportunity to object. If no objection is filed, the court may grant the petition on the papers. When a hearing is required, the date is set according to the judge’s schedule. Additional time may be needed if multiple petitions are necessary or if the record requires correction of a prior disposition. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel manage the procedural steps to help keep the matter moving efficiently.
Do I need a lawyer to file for expungement?
No, an individual is not required to hire a lawyer to seek an expungement, but legal guidance can help avoid mistakes that lead to denial or delay. The petition must accurately identify every arrest and conviction, cite the correct statutory grounds, and serve the right agencies. An incomplete petition may be dismissed and require the waiting period to restart. An experienced criminal attorney can also spot eligibility obstacles—such as a pending charge—that may not be obvious to a layperson. For those who wish to pursue the process with professional help, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. offers consultations by appointment.
What is the Clean Slate law in New Jersey?
The Clean Slate law allows a person to expunge an entire record of eligible convictions after ten years, even when multiple offenses are involved. Enacted in 2019 and effective in 2020, Clean Slate eliminates the need to file separate petitions for each conviction when the ten‑year mark has passed. The ten years are measured from the date of the most recent conviction, completion of sentence, payment of fine, or end of probation—whichever is latest. The law also permits expungement of certain drug offenses after a shorter period. Clean Slate does not override the exclusion of serious violent crimes, but it significantly expands access for people with older, non‑violent records who would have been ineligible under the prior framework.
Can I expunge a felony conviction?
Yes, many indictable crimes—New Jersey’s equivalent of a felony—can be expunged after a five‑year waiting period, subject to statutory limitations. Indictable offenses of the fourth, third, and some second‑degree classes are generally eligible, as long as they are not among the offenses that the legislature has explicitly excluded. Serious violent crimes, such as first‑degree aggravated sexual assault or murder, are not expungeable. Additionally, if you have been convicted of more than one indictable crime, the availability of expungement depends on whether you meet the Clean Slate criteria or whether the offenses arise from the same transaction. A careful review of the entire record is necessary to map out an appropriate approach.
What is the difference between expungement and record sealing?
Expungement results in legal erasure of the record for most civil purposes; record sealing restricts access but does not remove the record entirely. Currently, New Jersey law provides expungement as the primary remedy, though sealing legislation has been proposed. An expungement order directs the State Police, courts, and local law enforcement to delete the records from their systems. After expungement, you may legally state that the arrest or conviction did not occur in most civil contexts, such as employment applications. Law enforcement and certain sensitive government agencies retain access under limited circumstances. The distinction between expungement and sealing is important, and the relief available to you depends on current New Jersey statutes.
How does PTI affect expungement?
Successful completion of Pre‑Trial Intervention leads to dismissal of the charges, and a dismissed charge can be expunged immediately after the case is closed. PTI is a diversionary program available to certain first‑time indictable offenders in Burlington County. If the participant completes the one‑ to three‑year supervision period, the court dismisses the charges. That dismissal eliminates any conviction, and the arrest record becomes eligible for expungement without a waiting period other than the administrative time needed to process the petition. Conditional discharge, the municipal‑court equivalent for certain drug offenses, works similarly—the court dismisses the charge upon completion, and the record then qualifies for expungement. Because the precise eligibility for PTI varies, legal advice early in a case can greatly affect later expungement options.
Can I expunge multiple offenses?
Yes, multiple offenses can be expunged, but the process may require separate petitions or fall under the Clean Slate law depending on the number and type of convictions. Under the pre‑Clean Slate framework, a person was generally limited to expunging one indictable conviction and up to three disorderly persons offenses. Today, Clean Slate permits expungement of all eligible convictions after ten years, regardless of number, as long as no disqualifying offense is on the record. If a person cannot wait the full ten years, the attorney may file individual petitions for the convictions that have met their specific waiting periods. A strategic plan can be mapped out after a full record review.
Will an expungement completely erase my record?
An expungement removes the record from public access and most civil databases, but certain agencies may still have access for limited purposes. After a successful expungement, the State Police and other law enforcement agencies generally treat the record as if it never existed, and private background‑check companies are required to remove the information. However, the record may be accessible to the courts, prosecutors, and some licensing authorities if a person is charged with a subsequent offense or applying for certain sensitive positions, such as law enforcement or judicial roles. Immigration authorities also may have access. For most everyday contexts—employment, housing, education—expungement provides meaningful relief.
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