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- 11990 Grant Street, Suite 550, Northglenn, CO 80233
Seal or Expunge Your Record in Colorado
Former Prosecutor Knows How to Clear Your Record
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720-209-1469
You Deserve a Fresh Start - We Can Help
Important: The process can be complicated, but we'll handle the details for you. One mistake in the paperwork or missing a critical deadline can set back your fresh start by years. You don't have to navigate this alone.
We Know This Can Be an Emotional and Confusing Time
Get a fresh start. Your criminal record shouldn’t follow you forever, but we know it can feel overwhelming to figure out how to move forward. Every day, potential employers, landlords, and schools see your past mistakes instead of your current character. You deserve the chance to honestly say “no” when asked about criminal history on applications, and in Colorado, you have legal options to make that possible.As a former Deputy District Attorney who handled hundreds of cases in Jefferson County, Arapahoe County, and throughout the Denver metro area, Attorney Lori Beck understands exactly how courts and prosecutors view record sealing petitions. This insider knowledge is your advantage—she knows what arguments work, what documentation courts expect, and how to position your case for approval.</span>— How Does Record Sealing Work? —
What's the Difference Between Sealing and Expungement?
Sealing vs. Expungement in Colorado
Sealing makes your criminal record invisible to most background checks. The records still exist but become unavailable to employers, landlords, schools, and the general public. Law enforcement and prosecutors retain access for specific legal purposes.
When Can Records Be Expunged Instead?
Expungement involves the actual destruction of criminal records. Colorado permits expungement only for:
- Juvenile offenses under specific circumstances
- Underage drinking and driving convictions
- Certain arrest records that didn't result in conviction
Most adult criminal records qualify for sealing rather than expungement, but sealing provides essentially the same practical benefits.
The Legal Benefit
Once your record is sealed, you can legally deny ever having been arrested or convicted of the crime in most situations, including job applications and housing applications.
Am I Eligible to Seal My Colorado Record?
Records That Cannot Be Sealed
Permanently Unsealed Convictions
- Class 1, 2, 3 felonies (most serious felonies)
- Level 1 drug felonies (most serious drug crimes) – Learn about drug crime defense strategies
- All sex crimes (regardless of classification)
- All DUI/DWAI convictions (including misdemeanors) – See our DUI defense services for current charges
- All domestic violence convictions (including harassment) – Get help with domestic violence defense
- Traffic misdemeanors and infractions
- Commercial driver’s license violations
Important: Even if your conviction cannot be sealed, dismissed charges from the same case may still be eligible for sealing.
Cases You Can Seal Immediately
Arrests Without Convictions
- Never charged after arrest
- Case dismissed before or during trial
- Found not guilty at trial
- Deferred judgment completed successfully
Our Service: We can often seal these records within 30-60 days of filing the petition in courts throughout the Denver metro area.
Convictions with Waiting Periods
Misdemeanor Convictions
- Class 1 misdemeanors: 3 years after case completion
- Class 2 misdemeanors: 2 years after case completion
- Petty offenses: 1 year after case completion
Eligible Felony Convictions
- Class 4, 5, 6 felonies: 3 years after case completion
- Level 2 drug felonies: 5 years after case completion
- Level 3, 4 drug felonies: 3 years after case completion
Multiple Convictions
- Multiple misdemeanors: 5 years after last case completion
- Multiple felonies: 10 years after last case completion
Special Categories
Juvenile Records
- Most juvenile adjudications: 5 years maximum wait
- Dismissed juvenile cases: Immediately eligible
- Juvenile expungement: Available for certain cases
Underage Alcohol/Drug Cases
- Pre-2014 underage possession: 1 year after completion
- Post-2014 underage possession: 1 year after conviction
- Underage DUI (.02-.05 BAC): Immediately after age 21
Human Trafficking Victims
- Municipal and misdemeanor crimes: Immediately eligible
- Special provisions for trafficking-related offenses
“Best decision I ever made. Lori and her team were awesome…” — Adan Diaz ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
— The Record Sealing Process —
What Happens After I Hire a Lawyer to Seal My Record?
Step 1: We Review Your Eligibility – We obtain your complete criminal history from Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and local law enforcement. We determine exactly what can be sealed and when.
Step 2: We Prepare Your Paperwork – We complete all required court forms and gather supporting documentation. Every technical requirement must be met to avoid delays or denials.
Step 3: We File in the Right Court – We file your petition in the appropriate court throughout the Denver metro area, including Jefferson County District Court, Arapahoe County Court, Denver District Court, and others. We pay all required filing fees.
Step 4: We Handle Court Review – The court reviews your petition and may schedule a hearing. We represent you at any required hearings and advocate for approval.
Step 5: We Complete Implementation – If granted, we ensure sealing orders are sent to all agencies with your records (police departments, CBI, courts) to complete the process.
What Should I Expect for Timeline and Costs?
Processing Time – 2-6 months from filing to completion, depending on court schedules and case complexity.
Court Costs – Filing fees vary by jurisdiction, typically $65-$224 per case.
Our Fees – We provide transparent pricing based on your specific situation during your free consultation.
What Sets Our Record Sealing Service Apart?
- Complete Case Analysis: We review your entire criminal history to identify all sealable records
- Strategic Timing: We advise when to file for optimal results and cost efficiency
- Court Advocacy: We represent you at hearings and advocate aggressively for approval
- Follow-Through: We ensure sealing orders are properly implemented across all agencies
- Ongoing Support: We provide guidance on how to legally respond to background check questions
- Full-Service Legal Support: Access to our complete criminal defense services if you face new charges
— Why Does Former Prosecutor Experience Matter for Record Sealing —
Why Choose Beck Law Office for Record Sealing?
Our Record Sealing Advantage
Court Insight: As a former Deputy District Attorney, Lori Beck knows exactly how judges and prosecutors evaluate sealing petitions. She understands what factors influence approval and what arguments courts find most persuasive.
Strategic Advantage: Her prosecutorial background provides unique insight into which cases courts view favorably and how to present your petition for the best possible outcome.
Proven Results: Experience on both sides of the criminal justice system means we know how to position your case effectively, whether filing in Denver District Court, Jefferson County, or courts throughout Colorado.
Comprehensive Approach: We handle the entire process from eligibility determination through final implementation, ensuring no steps are missed. This includes coordinating with our criminal defense team when current charges might affect your sealing eligibility.
Multiple Case Expertise: When you have multiple cases or convictions, we strategically coordinate sealing petitions to maximize your results while minimizing costs. We also work with clients who need ongoing juvenile defense for family members.
How Will Record Sealing Change Your Life?
What Opportunities Will Open Up?
Employment
Apply for jobs without disclosing sealed convictions. Many employers cannot consider sealed records in hiring decisions.
Housing
Qualify for rentals and mortgages without criminal history barriers. Most landlords cannot access sealed records.
Education
Apply for college admissions and financial aid without criminal record obstacles. Many educational institutions cannot consider sealed convictions.
Professional Licensing
Pursue careers in healthcare, education, finance, and other licensed professions without automatic disqualification.
Personal Relationships
Move forward without the burden of explaining past mistakes to new employers, partners, or community members.
What About Federal Background Checks?
Important Limitation: Sealed records may still appear on FBI background checks for certain federal positions, security clearances, and law enforcement jobs. We’ll explain these limitations during your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Record Sealing
How long does the record sealing process take?
The complete process typically takes 2-6 months from initial filing to final implementation. Complex cases with multiple jurisdictions may take longer.
Can I seal records from multiple cases at once?
Often yes, but it depends on the timing and types of convictions involved. We can coordinate multiple petitions strategically across different Colorado courts—whether that’s Jefferson County, Arapahoe County, or Denver District Court—to save time and money.
What happens if my petition is denied?
Denials are often based on technical errors or premature timing. We can usually refile after addressing the court’s concerns or waiting until you meet all requirements under Colorado Revised Statute § 24-72-706.
Will sealed records show up on background checks?
Generally no, but very thorough background checks (federal security clearances, law enforcement positions) may still access sealed records. We’ll explain what checks can and cannot see your sealed records.
Can I seal records from other states?
No, Colorado courts can only seal Colorado records. You’ll need to petition courts in other states separately for those records.
What if I was convicted of multiple crimes in the same case?
Often the entire case can be sealed if all convictions are eligible, even if some charges individually wouldn’t qualify. We evaluate each case holistically.
Take Action Today - Every Day Matters
Your criminal record is a barrier between you and the life you want to build. Every day you delay record sealing is another day potential employers, landlords, and educational institutions see your past instead of your potential.
The record sealing process has strict deadlines and technical requirements that must be followed precisely. One mistake can delay your fresh start by months or years. Don’t trust this critical process to inexperienced attorneys or attempt it yourself.
You’ve served your time, learned from your mistakes, and rebuilt your life. Now it’s time to clear the legal barriers that are holding you back from the opportunities you deserve. If you’re currently facing new charges, our comprehensive criminal defense services can help protect your future while we work on clearing your past.
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