Sealing Criminal Records & Expungement

I. Colorado Record Sealing & Expungement Attorney

A criminal case can follow you long after it is over. Even an arrest, dismissed case, deferred judgment, or conviction can affect:

• Employment opportunities
• Housing applications
• Professional licenses
• Loans and financing
• Background checks

At Howard & Associates, we help clients throughout Eagle County and Summit County clear their criminal records through sealing and expungement when eligible.

If you are searching for a Colorado record sealing lawyer or expungement attorney, understanding your options is the first step.

II. Sealing vs. Expungement in Colorado

1. Record Sealing (Adult Criminal Records)

• Removes records from public access
• Typically prevents the case from appearing on background checks
• The record is not destroyed
• Still accessible to:
  • Courts
  • Law enforcement
  • Prosecutors
  • Certain government agencies

Most adult clients seeking to clear their record in Colorado are pursuing record sealing.

1. Expungement (Juvenile Records)

• Primarily applies to juvenile delinquency cases
• Treated as though the record did not occur for most purposes
• Not visible to the public
• Limited access may remain for certain agencies

III. Cases Eligible for Record Sealing in Colorado (No Conviction)

You may qualify for Colorado record sealing if:

• You were arrested but never charged
• Your case was dismissed
• You were found not guilty at trial
• You successfully completed a diversion agreement
• You completed a deferred judgment and the case was dismissed

Colorado courts are sometimes required to seal dismissed cases automatically, but errors happen. Many clients seek confirmation that their record has actually been sealed with the court and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

IV. Sealing Criminal Convictions in Colorado

1. Requirements Before Filing

To seal a conviction, you must complete all sentencing terms, including:

• Jail (if applicable)
• Probation
• Fines and court costs
• Restitution

Unpaid restitution will prevent record sealing.

1. Waiting Periods

Colorado law requires a waiting period before sealing a conviction. These vary depending on the offense and criminal history:

• As short as approximately 1 year for some petty offenses and civil infractions
• Several years for misdemeanors
• Longer waiting periods for eligible felony cases

Determining eligibility and timing is a common reason to consult a Colorado sealing attorney.

V. Records That Cannot Be Sealed (In Most Cases)

Not all cases are eligible for record sealing in Colorado. Common ineligible offenses include:

• DUI / DWAI convictions
• Most traffic offenses
• Domestic violence cases
• Crimes involving unlawful sexual behavior
• Crimes of violence
• Child abuse offenses
• Many Victim Rights Act (VRA) cases
• Certain serious felony convictions

Limited exceptions may apply in some circumstances.

VI. Juvenile Record Expungement in Colorado

1. Eligible Juvenile Cases

Juvenile records may be expunged if:

• Charges were dismissed
• The case resulted in a not guilty finding
• A diversion program was successfully completed
• A deferred adjudication was completed

Some juvenile cases may qualify for automatic expungement.

1. Ineligible Juvenile Cases

Expungement is generally not available for:

• Violent juvenile offender adjudications
• Aggravated juvenile offender cases
• Felony sex offenses
• Homicide-related offenses
• Traffic offenses

VII. Why Hire a Colorado Record Sealing Lawyer

The sealing and expungement process is technical and often time-sensitive. Mistakes can lead to delays or denial. Common issues include:

• Filing too early
• Filing in the wrong court
• Missing required agencies
• Submitting incomplete or incorrect petitions

At Howard & Associates, we:

• Evaluate your eligibility
• Determine proper timing
• Prepare and file all necessary documents
• Follow up with courts and agencies, including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation
• Ensure your record is properly processed

We regularly handle record sealing and expungement matters in:

• Eagle County Court
• Eagle District Court
• Summit County Court
• Summit District Court

VIII. Contact a Colorado Sealing & Expungement Attorney

If you are looking to clear your criminal record in Colorado, we can help you determine whether you qualify for record sealing or expungement.

Contact Howard & Associates today to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward clearing your record.

Howard’s attorneys provide a high level of experience in all areas of domestic relations law, with particular emphasis on complex financial cases, including estates which contain multiple corporate, trust, and real estate holdings. Our attorneys come from diverse legal backgrounds and are able to supply the business knowledge and trial experience necessary to assist our clients in these emotionally-charged transitions of their personal and business lives.

Our domestic relations practice includes: child support; dissolution of marriage (divorce); legal separation; maintenance (alimony); marital agreements; parental responsibility (custody) actions; and valuation and allocation of marital and separate property.

Howard helps clients involved with corporate law in the Colorado “High Country.” Howard, LLC represents clients in Eagle County, Summit County, Clear Creek County, Lake County, Garfield County and Pitkin County including the towns of Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Edwards, Avon, Eagle, Georgetown, Leadville, Frisco, Silverthorne and Glenwood Springs.

*The information found on this website should not be construed as legal advice and is not a substitute for professional legal consultation. You should not base your legal decisions solely on the information found in this site and you are encouraged to seek the counsel of an attorney regarding your specific questions or situation. The information found herein may represent the opinions or commentary of the site editor(s) and is for informational or education purposes only. You agree by using this site that no attorney/client relationship has been formed between you and the attorneys, editors, owners, or participants in this site unless and until a written agreement has been signed between you and your attorney.