If you have previously been convicted of a crime in the Larimer County, Colorado, Court, it is worthwhile to hire the best court record sealing attorney to see if you are eligible to have your criminal court record sealed. You likely know from experience that a criminal record can make life difficult, especially when you try to apply for jobs or buy a house. If you are a student at Colorado State University and committed a crime as an adult, your court criminal record unequivocally had an impact on your academic standing, financial aid, and housing. Having a criminal record is often a source of significant stress for many people. With the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney, your Fort Collins court record may be eligible to be sealed.
What is Court Record Sealing in Larimer County?
In Larimer County, court record sealing is the process of having your criminal record sealed so that it cannot be accessed by the public. When you have a criminal court record, it can be viewed by potential employers, colleges, universities, and the public. Generally, having a criminal record means a decreased likelihood of being hired for a job, buying a house, or gaining acceptance to a university like CSU. Court record sealing allows a person to legally claim that they were not convicted of a crime, and the public will not be able to see that person’s record. Only law enforcement, the Larimer County Court and government agencies will be able to see your criminal record.
Am I Eligible to Have My Court Record Sealed in Fort Collins?
Many criminal court records in Fort Collins are eligible for sealing after a certain number of years. Generally, the more severe the crime, the longer you will have to wait to have your record sealed. Some crimes like those involving sexual assault, might never be sealable. As an example of the wait for sealing, if you were convicted of a petty offense, you will likely only have to wait one year to petition the Larimer County Court to seal your record. If you committed a class 6 felony, however, you will only be eligible to petition to have your record sealed after 3 years. More serious crimes sometimes allow sealing, but the time periods vary widely.
Court Records usually cannot be sealed where the defendant committed a(n):
- Class 1, 2, or 3 felony, or level 1 drug felony
- Crime of violence
- Sexual offense
- Extraordinary risk crime
- Misdemeanor traffic offense, or a traffic infraction
- DUI or DWAI offense
Court Record Sealing vs. Juvenile Court Expungement in Loveland and Estes Park
Similar to adult court record sealing, a juvenile adjudicated of a criminal offense in Loveland, Estes Park, or elsewhere in Larimer County may be eligible to have his record expunged. There are differences between record expungement versus sealing, however. An adult may only have her criminal record sealed, not expunged. When a juvenile’s record is expunged, it is made unavailable to the public and it is as though the record never existed. An adult criminal record sealing means that the record still exists, but is only available for viewing by government agencies like courts and law enforcement, so a potential employer cannot normally see it.
Are you seeking to have your criminal record sealed? Get in contact with a Fort Collins criminal lawyer with decades of experience at the O’Malley Law Office today at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
The location for the Larimer County Courthouse is 201 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. We’ll see you there!
Photo by Anete Lusina