A criminal record shouldn’t be a permanent hindrance to your life. Working with Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. is the first step towards clearing your record and getting a fresh start.

Is Your Criminal Record Holding You Back? Let Our Legal Team Help

Whether it be an innocent mistake as a minor or a crime committed years ago, everyone deserves a second chance. When you have crimes on your record for the public to see, it can stand in the way of important life goals.

Our criminal defense lawyers have helped countless clients in Denver, Broomfield, Longmont, and Loveland clear their records so they could begin anew.

What is the Difference Between Sealing & Expungement in Colorado?

While sealing and expungement are very similar concepts in Colorado, there are some important differences.

• Sealing a record means it is hidden from public view (like background checks), but it can still be accessed by law enforcement.
• Expungement removes the record entirely from databases, so it is permanently deleted from even law enforcement.

Due to the finality of expungement, sealing criminal records is a much more common practice in Colorado.

Why Sealing & Expungement are Important

In today’s digital society, just about anyone can run a background check online to learn about your past. While it's important that crimes are accounted for, you should not have to suffer the consequences of a misdemeanor or petty offense years after the fact.

Having a felony or juvenile criminal record can potentially impact your ability to move forward in critical areas of life, such as:

• Finding employment
• Obtaining housing
• Getting into college
• Acquiring student loans
• Joining the military
• Adopting a child
• Obtaining professional licensing

Please note, different institutions, like universities and branches of the military, have their own rules and regulations regarding criminal backgrounds and requirements for disclosure of information contianed in sealed records. As such, it is best to investigate these on a case-by-case basis.

Why Work with a Record Sealing & Expungement Attorney?

For many reasons, it's extremely beneficial to have past criminal records sealed or expunged. Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. has the resources and insight to navigate delicate sealing and expungement processes.

Getting a record sealed or expunged in Colorado requires that you follow specific steps. Working with a skilled attorney is the most effective way to ensure every detail is accounted for.

As our client, you can expect that Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. will:

• Review your records
• Identify whether you are eligible to have your records sealed or expunged
• Efficiently prepare a petition that is complete and thorough
• Represent you in court if a hearing is set

What Types of Records are Eligible for Sealing in Colorado?

Many criminal records in Colorado may qualify for sealing, including:

• Petty offenses
• Misdemeanors
• Class 4, Class 5, Class 6 felonies

What Types of Records are Eligible for Expungement in Colorado?

Criminal record expungement in Colorado focuses almost exclusively on juvenile cases and arrests due to mistaken identity. Other offenses have to be sealed.

*Being adjudicated delinquent means that a minor in Colorado was found responsible for committing a crime in juvenile court.

How Do I Get My Record Sealed or Expunged?

Getting a record sealed or expunged in Colorado requires that you follow specific steps.

In the state of Colorado, records are sealed in 2 ways:

1. Automatically, with the passage of a designated time frame, under certain circumstances.
2. Filing a petition with the appropriate avenues.

The waiting period for record sealing is often much shorter if you are proactive and file a petition. To illustrate, you can petition to seal Class 4-6 felonies 3 years after completing your sentence.

Getting a record expunged in Colorado is often challenging. There are a lot of variables that impact the process, including the severity of the crime in question and whether or not the person is a repeat offender.

There is a 1-5 year waiting period before most Colorado crimes are eligible for sealing. When eligible, you should file a petition with the court.

Get a Fresh Start with Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C.!

We understand how challenging it can be to succeed with a criminal record holding you back. Our team treats every sealing and expungement case as a top priority.

The defense attorneys at Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. have over 30 years of experience tackling the most complex cases in Colorado. We’re here to help!