NJ Criminal Defense Law News & Information Blog

On January 12, 2010, the New Jersey Governor signed into law a number of significant amendments to the New Jersey Expungement Statute. The changes provide monumentally great news for those New Jersey petitioners who were previously barred from receiving an expungement in New Jersey pursuant to the old statute. The most significant change is the eligibility for expungement of drug offenses that were previously barred. Third and Fourth degree drug distribution convictions for drugs other than marijuana are now eligible for expungement. Read the rest of this entry »

Who knew that an arrest or conviction from 10, 20 or even 30 years ago could impact your life today. Unfortunately, many people believe that the dismissal of their criminal charges, or the relatively minor nature of the charge itself would never be maintained in a criminal record data base let alone be accessible to a potential employer. My guess is that most people do not even think to expunge their criminal record in New Jersey until an employer or potential employer informs them that their criminal record is a problem. In today's economic climate, more and more people are switching jobs or adding a second job to supplement their income. Criminal background checks, once only reserved for those working in law enforcement or needing security clearance, are now common place. Employers, School admissions personnel as well as professional licensing boards often require criminal background checks as a prerequisite to employment or admission. Absent a criminal expungement, your arrest or conviction will "show up" on your record potentially costing you a job or a professional license. Read the rest of this entry »