Clearing Your Name
Is My #1 Priority
EXPUNGEMENT LAWYER
I am a New Jersey Expungement Lawyer. I know the negative impact of a criminal record on the personal and professional lives of my clients. The impact begins from the moment of conviction and lasts until they do something about it.
Many simply do not know that the stigma of a past criminal conviction can be left behind. A fresh start is possible. The United States is a country built on the promise of a fresh start. Recent changes to the law have opened the courthouse doors to many more people seeking to rid themselves of the mark of old criminal record in public view. I can now provide solutions to clients which can help reverse the negative impact of a criminal charge. Perhaps I can help you as well.
NewJersey expungement law has a number of different solutions for many people to rid themselves of criminal records. In order to benefit, you must understand the expungement process and the specific requirements. If successful, a New Jersey Superior Court Judge will grant an Order of Expungement. I navigate the process, advocate your case and give you the best possible chance to clear your name.
Impact of a Criminal Record on Your Life
Perhaps the most damaging aspect of a conviction may go beyond monetary fines or a prison sentence—the mark on your criminal record has the potential to cause you trouble for years after the completion of your sentence. Without an expungement, a criminal conviction will remain on your record for the rest of your life. The truth is that a criminal record has serious consequences that can negatively affect many aspects of a person’s life for years to come. How so?
Those with criminal records are stigmatized. A criminal record can negatively affect many aspects of life, including:
Obtaining employment;
Qualifying for a professional license
Military enlistment and promotion
Working with the elderly or children
Traveling to other countries, including Canada
Applying for a residential mortgage or rental unit
Own a firearm
Acceptance into college or university
Expunged? Does society benefit?
The short answer is…yes. Society does benefit.
What does empirical research tell us about the impact on the individual and our society once a criminal conviction is expunged? A groundbreaking study published in the Harvard Law Review (March 2019) followed expunged record recipients statewide in Michigan.
Two significant conclusions were reached:
First, wages for the expunged group grew over 22% compared to those with criminal records who did not seek expungement. Better employment opportunities were clearly available. Improvement in employment rates and wages is crucial in preventing further criminal conduct. Financial stability (or instability) is a key predictive factor for the commission of a crime.
Second, low rearrest and reconviction rates for the expunged group, That is, 4.7 arrests per 100 persons versus 6.6 arrests per 100 persons for the general population of Michigan. That is, the expunged group actually had lower rates of recidivism in comparison to the general population of Michigan.
The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, found that the correctional population in the United States decreased 22.4 % from 2010 to 2020, with the most significant drop taking place between 2019-2020. The incarceration rate remains, however, the sixth highest in the world as of 2023, which is a cause for alarm. The goodness of the people of the United States can be better expressed by addressing this problem. Expungement offers a way to mitigate reentry barriers after the completion of a sentence and an appropriate waiting period.
In New Jersey, expungement is granted only after full sentence completion and then a waiting period of years before eligibility. Expungements are not societal giveaways. They are earned as: 1) The sentence is fully completed, and 2) Years are required post-completion before being eligible to apply.
New Jersey also does not provide for the destruction of criminal records. The records remain available mainly for law enforcement in the pursuit of public safety. Expungement should therefore be the norm, not the exception, for a society seeking criminal justice reform. Retribution is a goal of the criminal justice system but at some point, retribution must yield to rehabilitation leading to a full re-entry of the individual into society if the individual has proven worthy. Expungement represents full re-entry and acceptance back into the community.
"The good of the people is the greatest law."
My Role as a New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney
The great trial lawyer Daniel Webster said, “Justice is the greatest concern of man on earth.” I believe there is no greater professional calling than to stand as a lawyer in front of a jury and breathe life into our Constitution, our Bill of Rights, statutory law and common law. I assert and defend the rights of ordinary citizens who are accused of a crime on the federal or state level. The Criminal Defense Attorney is a vital part of our system of justice and the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
I am facing Criminal Charges.
What do I need to know?
Our system of justice, however, is adversarial and results in frequent public misunderstanding of the advocacy system. In spite of the misunderstandings, the Criminal Defense Attorney’s protection of individual rights against a federal or state criminal charge is a key element in the perpetuation of our American freedom which stands as the model for freedom for the rest of the world.
I traveled to the Czech Republic as a Scholar of the United States Fulbright Commission to promote the Rule of Law including the right to a jury trial. I taught United States Criminal Practice and Procedure to a group of lawyers struggling to implement democratic reforms in their own country. Serving as Fulbright Scholar in the Czech Republic reinforced my firm belief in the vital role of the Criminal Defense Attorney in our American system of justice and the protection of individual rights.
Are You Facing Federal or New Jersey State Criminal Charges?
If you are facing a Federal criminal charge or State of New Jersey criminal charge, you are probably facing the most difficult situation in your life. It is crucial that you obtain experienced, knowledgeable, and aggressive New Jersey legal counsel. Personal freedom is one of the most important rights afforded to all citizens of the United States. The potential loss of personal freedom from a criminal accusation on the Federal or State of N.J. level requires an aggressive defense where the client is involved in every aspect of the case. Because you are an integral part of your defense, it is vital that you are informed of how a felony case proceeds through the federal or state system, the evidence against you, and all possible defenses to the accusation, including practical and tactical considerations. I work closely and personally with all clients to ensure that strategy and decision-making involve the direct participation of the client.
As soon as you come into contact with the federal or state legal system, you need immediate assistance from a NJ criminal lawyer. Prompt assistance can mean the difference between keeping or losing your personal freedom. I have the skills and experience to provide an aggressive defense.
In choosing a New Jersey expungement or criminal defense lawyer, remember the words of a famous poet of the Roman Empire named Manilus: “Finis Origine Pendet”. The words translate into English as “The end depends on the beginning.” Your choice of attorney is the beginning. I invite you to begin by contacting me at (856) 596-8000.
Thank you for visiting my site.
New Jersey Lawyer
Marlton, New Jersey