Michael Block, Attorney At Law P.C.
277 Broadway #708, New York, NY 10007
Phone: (212) 227-9008
James Medows, Esq. Traffic Ticket Lawyer
306 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (917) 994-7125
Martin A. Kron & Associates, P.C.
295 Madison Ave Floor 12, Suite 1208, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 235-1525
Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC
299 Broadway #1400, New York, NY 10007
Phone: (718) 690-3834
Lebedin Kofman LLP
26 Broadway 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10004
Phone: (646) 663-4430
Law Office of Aaron Wallenstein
160 Broadway Suite 600, New York, NY 10038
Phone: (212) 227-7588
Lento Law Firm
405 Lexington Ave, Chrysler Building 26th Floor, New York, NY 10174
Phone: (215) 535-5353
Neil S. Ruskin
188 Montague St Suite 900, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 237-1547
Brooklyn DWI Lawyer Mark Cossuto
26 Court St Suite 314, Brooklyn, NY 11242
Phone: (718) 852-8047
Cohen Forman Barone, PC
950 3rd Ave 11th Floor, New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 577-9314
Michael Paul, Attorney at Law
3507 90th Street, Lower Level Left, Queens, NY 11372
Phone: (718) 793-7285
Colette Katz Law Firm
PO Box 7212, New York, NY 10116
Phone: (917) 548-9907
Victor A. Bernace, Esq.
100 Cooper St #5G, New York, NY 10034
Phone: (917) 405-4368
Law Office of Luke Scardigno
123-60 83rd Ave Suite 1T, Queens, NY 11415
Phone: (718) 261-5151
Law Office of Gina M. Wicik
325 Broadway Suite 406, New York, NY 10007
Phone: (516) 253-4278
The Fast Law Firm, P.C.
521 5th Ave 17th Floor, New York, NY 10175
Phone: (646) 832-4792
Uriel Criminal Defense, P.C.
540 Court St #4011, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: (866) 449-9475
The Law Office of Jeffrey Chabrowe
521 5th Ave Suite 1729, New York, NY 10175
Phone: (212) 235-1510
Koch Law, PLLC
521 5th Ave 17th Floor Suite 1712, New York, NY 10175
Phone: (929) 822-7778
Scott Cerbin Criminal Defense
254 36th St Suite C659, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Phone: (718) 596-1829
Kenneth E. Belkin, Esq.
225 Broadway #715, New York, NY 10007
Phone: (718) 395-6755
D’Emilia Law
30 Wall St 12th Floor, New York, NY 10005
Phone: (888) 336-4542
Law Offices of Jason A. Steinberger, LLC
505 8th Ave #701, New York, NY 10018
Phone: (646) 256-1007
Joey Jackson Law, PLLC
5 Pennsylvania Plaza, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10001
Phone: (833) 563-9522
Konta, Georges & Buza, P.C.
233 Broadway Suite 701, New York, NY 10279
Phone: (212) 710-5166
Some people still call it expungement, but New York relies on sealing for most relief. Article 160 of the Criminal Procedure Law allows sealing for specific convictions and non convictions, and the Clean Slate Act from 2023 adds automatic sealing after a set wait when a person stays conviction free. A New York record sealing lawyer checks eligibility, prepares filings, and appears in court if a judge sets a hearing. Timelines depend on the county calendar and the complexity of the record, and sealed means most private background checks will not show the case. Law enforcement and certain licensing bodies still have access for limited purposes, so you should match your goals to the right legal tool before you file.
Can I get my record expunged in New York?
New York uses sealing for relief in most situations, not traditional expungement. You may qualify to seal under CPL Article 160 based on offense type, number of convictions, and time since sentence completion. A lawyer can map your history to the statute and confirm the path that fits your facts.
What is the Clean Slate Act in New York?
The Clean Slate Act passed in 2023 adds automatic sealing for many old convictions after a waiting period with no new convictions. Many misdemeanors become eligible after three years and many felonies after eight years from sentence completion. Serious violent crimes and sex offenses are excluded and will not seal under this law.
Who qualifies for sealing under CPL 160.59?
CPL 160.59 allows sealing for up to two convictions with limits on felony counts and offense categories. You must finish the sentence and wait the required time before filing. Disqualifying crimes and multiple serious felonies block relief under this statute.
Which convictions cannot be sealed in New York?
Many violent felonies, sex offenses, and other listed crimes are not eligible for sealing. Clean Slate follows similar exclusions. You need a careful review of charge names and statutes, not just case labels, to avoid filing for relief that the law will deny.
How long does the process take in New York?
Petitions under CPL 160.59 often take a few months from filing to decision. A hearing or objections from the district attorney can extend the timeline. Automatic sealing under Clean Slate follows the statutory clock and administrative rollout rather than a court petition.
Do I need a lawyer to seal my record?
You can file on your own, but sealing law is technical and mistakes slow or kill a case. Lawyers organize the record, draft the motion and affidavits, serve parties, and appear if the court sets a hearing. Clean filings and complete service speed results and reduce pushback.
Will a sealed case show up on a background check in New York?
Sealed cases should not appear on most private employment and housing checks. If a report still shows a sealed case, you can dispute it and provide the order to force a correction. Government screens and licensing boards can access sealed data in defined situations.
Can police or courts still see a sealed case?
Yes, sealed does not mean invisible to law enforcement or the courts. Access remains for criminal justice and specific regulatory uses. The public and most private screeners cannot see the case once sealed.
How do I check if my case was sealed?
Request your criminal history from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and review the entry for sealing. You can also use the Office of Court Administration Criminal History Record Search to cross check public records. Keep certified copies of any sealing order for disputes with background screeners.
How much does sealing cost in New York?
Costs include any court fees, document fees, and attorney fees if you hire counsel. Many firms charge a flat fee for a simple sealing and more for complex histories. Clean Slate automatic sealing does not require a filing fee, but it does not cover excluded crimes.
How far back do background checks go in New York?
Many employment checks look back seven years for reportable items, but some roles and regulated industries can look further. Sealed entries should not appear in standard private reports. Government positions and fingerprint based screens can access more history under law.
What is the difference between sealing and expungement in New York?
Sealing restricts public access while leaving limited access for courts, police, and defined agencies. Expungement removes records entirely, which New York does not broadly provide. For most people in New York, sealing delivers the practical privacy they need for jobs and housing.
Does Clean Slate delete records or just seal them?
Clean Slate seals records from public view after the waiting period and after all conditions are met. It does not erase history from criminal justice systems. You still need to stay conviction free to keep the seal in place.
How do I order my New York criminal history?
Use the DCJS Record Review process to get your state criminal history and check for accuracy. You can also run an OCA Criminal History Record Search to see what public court records show. Review both after a sealing to confirm that updates took effect across systems.
Official Sources
- New York Courts sealed records help and FAQs
- New York Clean Slate Act S7551A
- Criminal Procedure Law 160.59 sealing of certain convictions
- Criminal Procedure Law 160.50 termination of criminal actions in favor of the accused
- Criminal Procedure Law 160.55 convictions for violations
- New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services record review
- Office of Court Administration Criminal History Record Search
- NYC Commission on Human Rights Fair Chance Act