Leon Matchin
86 Washington Ave
Phone: (833) 690-5305
Rosenberg Perry & Associates
9 Garden St
Phone: (609) 216-7400
Bhatt Law Group
378 Summit Ave
Phone: (201) 798-8000
Ellis Law
87 South St
Phone: (732) 936-7755
Lento Law Firm
405 Lexington Avenue, Chrysler Building, 26th Floor
Phone: (215) 535-5353
Jeffrey Hark
1101 Marlton Pike W
Phone: (866) 427-5529
Christian O. Nwaopara
219 High St
Phone: (800) 983-9198
Jonathan F. Marshall
82 Court St
Phone: (732) 450-8300
Michele Finizio
9 E Main St
Phone: (856) 934-4647
Cifrodello Law Offices
20 Commerce Dr Suite 112
Phone: (732) 667-3764
Rosenblum Law
777 Passaic Ave Suite #460
Phone: (973) 298-0250
The Tormey Law Firm
254 State St
Phone: (201) 556-1570
Anthony J. Vecchio
227 Main St
Phone: (800) 418-8578
Roberts & Teeter
1075 Easton Ave, Tower 2, Suite 2
Phone: (732) 607-5553
Jason Pollack
211 S White Horse Pike
Phone: (856) 563-8605
H. Scott Aalsberg
10 Brier Hill Ct G
Phone: (732) 257-5040
The Bianchi Law Group
8 Campus Dr Suite 105
Phone: (862) 292-4442
Gigliotti Law Group
1874 NJ-70 Suite 6
Phone: (856) 651-7685
Evan F. Nappen
21 Throckmorton Ave
Phone: (732) 389-8888
Douglas Herring
475 Wall St
Phone: (609) 566-9686
Brett M. Rosen
100 Jefferson Ave Suite 301
Phone: (908) 312-0368
Thomas Carroll Blauvelt
700 NJ-18
Phone: (877) 676-7729
Frederick P. Sisto
223 Drum Point Rd Suite 1
Phone: (732) 898-3232
Sutnick & Sutnick
21 Main St Suite 150
Phone: (201) 342-8555
Gelman Law
850 NJ-70
Phone: (856) 861-4236
LGR Law
6 Pompton Ave #25
Phone: (973) 239-4300
AITA Law
35 Kings Hwy E #200
Phone: (856) 287-7800
Keith Oliver Criminal Law
180 Kings Hwy
Phone: (732) 858-6959
Christopher L. Baxter
212 NJ-38 #440
Phone: (856) 235-9881
Lento Law Group
1814 NJ-70 Suite 321
Phone: (856) 652-2000
William Proetta Criminal Law
242 10th St #103
Phone: (201) 942-5503
The Hernandez Law Firm
805 Main St
Phone: (732) 582-5076
Jason A. Volet
28 Court St
Phone: (732) 751-4014
Christopher G. Porreca
60 Washington St Suite 107
Phone: (973) 828-0009
Jill R. Cohen
116 N Haddon Ave Suite 205
Phone: (856) 858-1500
Lustberg Law Offices
1 University Plaza Dr #212
Phone: (201) 880-5311
Jenna Casper Bloom
4 Walter E Foran Blvd #402
Phone: (908) 388-9310
Michael Pastacaldi
35 Journal Square Plaza #470
Phone: (201) 630-0065
Lackey & Miller
1101 Kings Hwy N #203
Phone: (856) 399-0089
Thomas Demarco & Associates
115 N Black Horse Pike
Phone: (856) 541-9000
John Hartmann
50 Princeton Hightstown Rd
Phone: (609) 577-7541
New Jersey offers expungement for many arrests and convictions under N.J.S.A. 2C:52 so the public cannot see the record. You can apply through the statewide eCourts Expungement System or by filing a paper petition with the correct forms in the Superior Court. Clean Slate relief also exists for people who meet strict offense limits and waiting periods, and cannabis dismissals and expungements run under separate rules after recent reforms. Expungement does not destroy the file, but it moves it to a nonpublic status that most employers and landlords cannot access. Courts, law enforcement, and some licensing agencies keep limited access as allowed by law, which is normal under New Jersey statutes.
Do you need a lawyer for an expungement in New Jersey?
No, you can file on your own using the eCourts Expungement System or by submitting a paper petition with the required attachments. Many people still hire a lawyer because eligibility rules, service requirements, and counting prior matters can be tricky and mistakes slow things down. A lawyer can also appear at any hearing, respond to objections, and make sure the order covers every docket that needs relief.
How much does it cost to get an expungement in New Jersey?
There is no court filing fee for a standard expungement petition in New Jersey and the eCourts Expungement System is free to use. You may still have costs for fingerprinting, certified judgments or dispositions, mailing, and any optional attorney fees. People who cannot afford document costs can ask the court for fee relief on copies or use self help centers for guidance.
What is the Clean Slate expungement in New Jersey?
Clean Slate is a pathway that makes some records eligible for clearing after a longer waiting period if you meet offense caps and have no pending charges. It is separate from the standard petition that targets specific cases and it excludes serious disqualifying crimes. Courts and state systems run checks before relief is granted, and you should still confirm your history updates after an order issues.
How long does an expungement take in New Jersey?
Simple petitions with complete documents often finish in a few months from filing to signed order. Cases with old dockets, missing records, or objections can take longer because the court must verify information and give agencies time to respond. After the judge signs the order, state databases and court systems need additional time to propagate the updates to background checks.
What crimes cannot be expunged in New Jersey?
Certain serious offenses are excluded by statute, including many violent crimes and crimes that involve public trust or sexual violence. Human trafficking, kidnapping, perjury, and official misconduct are examples that commonly appear on the barred list. If you are unsure about a specific code section, review N.J.S.A. 2C:52 and compare the exact offense language to the exclusions.
Does a New Jersey record clear after seven years automatically?
No, a record does not automatically vanish just because time has passed. Clean Slate relief uses a longer timeline and requires that you meet strict eligibility limits, and not every record qualifies for that route. Most people still need to apply for a traditional expungement to be sure the case is sealed from public view.
How do I apply for an expungement in New Jersey?
Create an account and file through the eCourts Expungement System, which guides you through entering arrests and case numbers. If the online tool cannot locate a docket or you prefer paper, you can file the standard petition forms in the Superior Court with your fingerprint submission and service on required agencies. Keep copies of everything you submit and track the case so you can follow up on any notices from the court.
Who can still access an expunged record in New Jersey?
Courts, prosecutors, and law enforcement can see nonpublic expunged information for limited purposes such as bail decisions, charging, or sentencing in a later case. Certain state agencies and professional licensing boards also maintain access that is set by statute. The general public and most private background screeners cannot see expunged cases once the order is processed across systems.
How far back does a New Jersey background check go?
There is no single universal lookback period because private screeners and government checks use different rules. Many consumer reports emphasize recent years for nonpending matters, but older cases can appear if they are public and the search scope allows it. An expungement moves eligible cases to nonpublic status so standard private reports should not show them after systems update.
How do I check the status of my expungement?
If you filed through eCourts, sign in to view updates and notices from the court. You can also call the criminal division where the petition is pending to confirm that service and fingerprint records were received. After an order is granted, you may request a New Jersey State Police record review to verify that the entry now reflects nonpublic status.
Do arrests show up on background checks in New Jersey?
Arrests can appear on public record searches if no expungement has been granted and the case remains open in the court record. New Jersey allows expungement of many arrests that did not lead to conviction, including dismissals and not guilty findings. Once expunged, the arrest is placed in nonpublic status and should not be reported by standard private screeners.
What documents do I need for a New Jersey expungement?
You will need arrest dates, docket numbers, and the specific offenses to list in the petition. The court also requires a fingerprint submission so the State Police can confirm identity and match records. Certified judgments or dispositions are often needed for older cases or when the online system cannot auto populate the details.
Is a New Jersey DWI shown on a criminal background check?
New Jersey treats DWI as a motor vehicle offense rather than a criminal offense, so it does not create a criminal conviction. It can still show on a motor vehicle abstract and can be seen by employers that request driving records. Some broad commercial background checks aggregate traffic data, so read the fine print on any screening request you authorize.
Can I expunge multiple cases at once?
New Jersey lets you ask to expunge several eligible matters in a single petition so long as you are within the numeric limits and offense exclusions. The petition must list each docket, arrest, and outcome, and the court reviews the totals against the statute. If you have too many disqualifying matters, the judge cannot grant relief, so careful counting is important before filing.
What happens after a judge signs my expungement order?
The court transmits the order to agencies, and the State Police updates criminal history databases that feed many private screeners. Courts then reflect the case as expunged or sealed in their public systems depending on the docket type. Keep a certified copy of the order for your records in case an employer asks for proof of the disposition.
Will an expungement restore my firearm rights in New Jersey?
Expungement focuses on the public status of criminal records and does not automatically restore firearm rights. Firearm disqualifications follow separate statutes and may require additional steps or waiting periods that are not part of the expungement law. You should review the firearms code and consult counsel if you plan to apply for a permit after your record is cleared.
What is the difference between expungement and sealing in New Jersey?
New Jersey uses expungement language for most adult records and that process moves eligible entries to nonpublic status. Juvenile matters use different terms and procedures, but the result is similar in that the file becomes inaccessible to the general public. In both settings, courts and law enforcement keep limited access that the statutes allow for future justice system needs.
How long do I have to wait before filing for an expungement?
Waiting periods depend on the offense level, the outcome, and your overall record. Many disorderly persons matters have a shorter wait than indictable offenses, and dismissals with prejudice can be eligible immediately. Clean Slate has a longer timeline that starts after you finish the sentence and meet all financial obligations for the last case.
Are New Jersey criminal records public?
Many court records are public by default in New Jersey and can be viewed through court systems or by request from the clerk. Juvenile records and certain sensitive matters are restricted by rule and statute. An expungement order moves eligible adult entries out of the public set so typical searches no longer display them.
Can cannabis offenses be cleared in New Jersey?
Recent cannabis reforms created dismissal and expungement pathways for many low level marijuana matters. Some cases are handled automatically by the courts, while others require you to file or update information so systems can match your records. You should still verify that your docket reflects the correct outcome and keep copies of any court orders for your records.
What is the eCourts Expungement System and how does it help?
It is the Judiciary’s online filing tool that lets you submit expungement petitions without going to the courthouse. The system prepopulates data from court records when available and gives you notices as the case moves through review. It reduces clerical errors and keeps your paperwork organized so you can track what the court needs next.
Do I need fingerprints for a New Jersey expungement?
Yes, a fingerprint submission is part of the process so the State Police can confirm identity and link records across systems. You schedule the prints with an approved vendor and the results go to the agencies listed in your petition. Skipping this step stalls the case because the court cannot verify the history without the report.
Can I apply for expungement if I still have charges pending?
No, pending charges will block an expungement petition or a Clean Slate request. The court requires that all open matters be resolved before it considers clearing past records. Dismissing or concluding the new case first avoids automatic denials and keeps your timeline clean.
Do I have to tell private employers about expunged cases?
In most private employment settings, you can answer no to questions about criminal convictions once a case is expunged. The record is nonpublic and standard commercial background checks should not report it. If a statute or licensing rule requires disclosure for a specific job, follow that rule and provide the order if asked.
How do juvenile records work in New Jersey?
Juvenile matters are handled under different rules and terminology, but they can be cleared or sealed based on set criteria. The court looks at offense types, outcomes, and any later history when deciding if relief is appropriate. After an order enters, access remains limited to justice system agencies and authorized entities.
Can municipal ordinance violations be expunged?
Many municipal ordinance violations can be included in an expungement petition if you meet the numeric and offense limits. You list them with your criminal matters so the court can see your full history in one case. Clearing minor items along with larger cases produces a cleaner background for most private checks.
What should I do if a background check still shows an expunged case?
Get a copy of the report and compare it to your court order so you can see which entry is wrong. Ask the screener to run a reinvestigation and provide the certified order that proves the case is nonpublic. If a court docket is still out of date, contact the clerk with your order so the display can be corrected.
Can out of state convictions affect a New Jersey expungement?
Yes, the statute counts certain out of state convictions when measuring eligibility and numeric limits. You must disclose them in your petition so the judge can evaluate the totals accurately. Failing to list them risks a denial because the court cannot make the required findings without the full picture.
Are domestic violence restraining orders expunged with criminal cases?
No, civil restraining order records follow different rules and are not cleared by a criminal expungement order. If you need to address those records, you must pursue the appropriate relief in the Family Division under the rules that apply there. Treat these as separate tracks even if they arose from the same incident date.
Official Sources
- New Jersey Courts — Expunging Criminal and Juvenile Records
- New Jersey Courts — eCourts (includes Expungement filing)
- New Jersey Statutes — Title 2C including Chapter 52 Expungements
- New Jersey State Police — Criminal History Record Information
- New Jersey Attorney General — Clean Slate Initiative
- State of New Jersey — Fair Chance in Employment Act
- New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission — Resources