Having a criminal record can certainly impact a person’s life in many ways. It can make it more difficult for them to get a job, for example. Even if they have all of the necessary skills, education and experience, employers may be wary about hiring someone with a criminal record.
As such, people are often looking to have these records erased, deleted or entirely eliminated. They have already served their time and upheld the other stipulations of their sentence, so they want to get rid of the record so they can move forward with their life. If your record is sealed, does this mean it does not exist anymore?
Only from a public perspective
When a record is sealed, it does still exist. There are certain situations in which law enforcement can see the record. For instance, if you are accused of future criminal activity, the authorities may be able to get a court order to unseal the record. They can still see the details of what happened in the past.
However, from a public perspective, it will appear as if the record does not exist. It has been sealed from public view.
This means that you still get the benefits that you are looking for. If an employer runs a background check, for example, that background check will not indicate that you have a criminal record. As far as the employer is aware, the record has been erased – or never existed in the first place.
This helps to show how a sealed record can help you create the positive future that you are looking for. It can help you obtain both personal and professional goals, even after a criminal conviction. Be sure you know exactly what legal steps to take if this is something that you are interested in.