Colorado: How to Seal Criminal Records
If an old arrest is getting in the way of a job or loan because it keeps showing up on your background report, you may need the assistance of an experienced lawyer.
Philip M. Smith, Attorney At Law · Denver, Colorado
Criminal Defense · Sealing Criminal Records
Free Consultations
(303) 333-8900 · E-mail
At the law office of Philip M. Smith, I handle criminal record sealing for adults and expungement of juvenile records along with defending my clients against criminal charges. Contact my Denver, Colorado law office today for a free initial consultation.
Fact: Any person who was arrested on a charge that was eventually completely dismissed may have that part of the criminal record sealed.
Fact: Minor drug possession convictions may be sealed in 10 years.
Fact: The court will not make any effort to notify the "information brokers" — companies that handle background and credit checks for employers and banks — that your criminal records have been sealed.
I will take charge of the entire process of applying to have your criminal records sealed. This process is entirely separate from the criminal proceeding, and there is no waiting period.
- Application: I make a petition to the proper court, asking the court to grant your request to seal your criminal record.
- Objection period: The district attorney may object to the petition, which happens most frequently in sex offense cases.
- Approval: If the district attorney does not object, then the court will most likely approve the petition.
- Notification: This is the most important part of the process. As part of the service, my office sends official notification to the top 15 to 20 information brokers — letting them know that your criminal record has been sealed and must not be included on any background check report.
Keep Your Past Private
Even after a criminal record is sealed, certain government agencies — for example, all branches of law enforcement and the federal government — will still have access to the information.
However, the information about the arrest will no longer be available to a non-governmental agency seeking information about your background.
For answers to your questions about sealing your criminal record, contact my Denver, Colorado law office today to schedule a free and confidential initial consultation.
