New Jersey Expungement Lawyers
For many, an expungement could serve as a key to reentry into society – an opportunity to shed the stigma of previous involvement in the criminal justice system, whether a conviction or even just an arrest.
Unexpunged records consistently deprive people once involved in the criminal justice system of the opportunity to pursue their chosen careers, whether denied a job following a background check or prevented from obtaining a professional license, or even simply to find employment that allows them to provide for their families. Unexpunged records can also prevent an otherwise appropriate candidate from obtaining a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card.
Over the course of the past several years, the New Jersey Legislature has overhauled the expungement statutes in an effort to open up pathways for people who have been ineligible for expungement in the past. Thus, even if you were told that you were ineligible for expungement, that may no longer be the case. The current law allows for an expungement petition six years after a criminal sentence or the expiration of the actual sentence - whichever is later.
The New Jersey expungement law states in detail who is eligible for an expungement. You should review the current applicable provisions of N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 through N.J.S.A. 2C:52-32 to determine if you are eligible. If eligible you must prepare and file a Petition for Expungement. The Petition for Expungement must be filed in the Superior Court in the county where you were arrested or prosecuted as an adult or taken into custody or adjudicated as a juvenile. A judge then decides whether you should be granted an Expungement Order.
Whether you have been convicted of a serious crime, a misdemeanor, a municipal ordinance, was subject to Pre-Trial Intervention or a conditional discharge, or simply had your charges dismissed, whether you were a juvenile or an adult, Galantucci & Patuto, Esqs. has the experience and knowledge to advise you as to your eligibility for expungement, as we have for hundreds, if not thousands, of clients over the years. If eligible, we will file a petition on your behalf and make the necessary court appearances in order to fight for your record to be cleared, making you free to pursue your future without the burden of the past.
New Jersey Clean Slate Law – Expungement and Second Chances
The New Jersey Clean Slate Law provides individuals with a powerful opportunity to clear their criminal record and move forward with a clean slate. This groundbreaking law allows qualifying arrests and convictions to be automatically expunged after a specified period, eliminating many of the barriers that come with a criminal history—such as employment restrictions, housing denials, professional licensing issues, and educational obstacles.
New Jersey is one of the national leaders in criminal justice reform, and the Clean Slate Law reflects the state’s commitment to rehabilitation and second chances.
What Is the New Jersey Clean Slate Law?
The Clean Slate Law permits eligible individuals to have their entire criminal record expunged—not just individual cases—after maintaining a crime-free period. Unlike traditional expungements that require filing individual petitions for each case, a Clean Slate expungement can remove multiple convictions at once.
Once an expungement is granted, the law treats the arrest or conviction as if it never occurred, allowing individuals to legally answer “no” when asked about their criminal history in most situations.
Who Qualifies for a Clean Slate Expungement?
You may qualify for a Clean Slate expungement in New Jersey if:
You have multiple indictable (felony-level) convictions, disorderly persons offenses, or municipal offenses
You have remained crime-free for 10 years from your most recent conviction, payment of fines, completion of probation, or release from incarceration (whichever is later)
Your convictions are not disqualified offenses under New Jersey law
Certain serious crimes—such as homicide, kidnapping, sexual assault, and other violent offenses—are not eligible for Clean Slate expungement.
What Records Can Be Cleared?
Depending on eligibility, the Clean Slate Law can expunge:
Arrests that did not result in conviction
Disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses
Multiple indictable convictions
Municipal ordinance violations
For many individuals, this means their entire adult criminal record can be cleared in one proceeding.
Benefits of a Clean Slate Expungement
A successful Clean Slate expungement can:
Improve employment opportunities
Remove barriers to housing and professional licenses
Restore dignity and privacy
Reduce discrimination based on past mistakes
Provide peace of mind and legal certainty
Once expunged, records are removed from public databases and are generally unavailable to employers, landlords, and background check companies.
Automatic Expungement vs. Filing a Petition
New Jersey has implemented automatic expungement for certain low-level offenses, but Clean Slate expungements are not always automatic. Many cases still require:
Legal analysis of eligibility
Proper calculation of waiting periods
Filing a formal petition
Serving multiple agencies
Court review and approval
Mistakes can lead to delays or denials, which is why many individuals choose to work with an experienced attorney.
Why Speak With a New Jersey Expungement Lawyer?
The Clean Slate Law is powerful—but complex. Determining eligibility, addressing gaps in records, and ensuring compliance with procedural rules is critical. An experienced New Jersey expungement attorney can:
Review your full criminal history
Determine Clean Slate eligibility
File and manage the expungement process
Address objections or complications
Ensure your record is fully and properly cleared
Take the First Step Toward a Clean Slate
If you have past arrests or convictions holding you back, the New Jersey Clean Slate Law may offer the fresh start you deserve. Speaking with a knowledgeable attorney can help you understand your rights and take the next step toward a future without the weight of a criminal record.
Contact a New Jersey expungement lawyer today for a confidential consultation.
can you add the clean slate statute citation to the above
Yes. Below is the same webpage article, revised to explicitly include and correctly cite the New Jersey Clean Slate statute, with precise statutory references suitable for a law-firm website and legal accuracy.
New Jersey Clean Slate Law – Expungement and Second Chances
The New Jersey Clean Slate Law, codified at N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.3, provides eligible individuals with a powerful opportunity to clear their criminal record and move forward with a clean slate. This statute allows qualifying arrests and convictions to be expunged in a single proceeding after a designated crime-free waiting period, removing many of the barriers associated with a criminal history—such as difficulties with employment, housing, professional licensing, and education.
New Jersey is a national leader in criminal justice reform, and the Clean Slate Law reflects the Legislature’s intent to promote rehabilitation and reintegration.
What Is the New Jersey Clean Slate Law?
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.3, a person may seek a Clean Slate expungement of their entire criminal record—rather than expunging individual cases one at a time—after satisfying statutory eligibility requirements. Once granted, the expungement treats the arrest(s) and conviction(s) as if they never occurred, subject to limited statutory exceptions.
This provision is distinct from traditional expungements under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2 and 2C:52-3, which impose numerical limits on eligible convictions.
Who Qualifies for a Clean Slate Expungement?
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.3(a), you may qualify if:
You have been convicted of multiple indictable offenses, disorderly persons offenses, or municipal ordinance violations
You have remained crime-free for 10 years following your most recent conviction, completion of probation or parole, release from incarceration, or payment of fines—whichever occurred last
Your record does not include disqualifying offenses enumerated by statute
Certain offenses—such as homicide, kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and other serious violent crimes—are expressly excluded from Clean Slate eligibility.
What Records Can Be Cleared Under the Clean Slate Law?
If eligible, a Clean Slate expungement under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.3 may include:
Arrests that did not result in conviction
Disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses
Multiple indictable convictions
Municipal ordinance violations
In many cases, this results in the expungement of an individual’s entire adult criminal record.
Legal Effect of a Clean Slate Expungement
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-27, once an expungement is granted:
The individual may lawfully answer “no” to questions about the expunged record in most circumstances
Records are removed from public access and background check databases
The expunged matter is deemed not to have occurred
Limited exceptions exist for law enforcement, the judiciary, and certain statutorily authorized purposes.
Automatic Expungement vs. Clean Slate Expungement
While New Jersey has enacted automatic expungement provisions for certain low-level offenses, Clean Slate expungements under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.3 are not always automatic. Many cases still require:
A legal eligibility analysis
Accurate calculation of the statutory waiting period
Filing a verified petition
Service upon multiple state and local agencies
Judicial review and approval
Errors can delay or jeopardize relief.
Why Consult a New Jersey Expungement Attorney?
The Clean Slate statute is powerful—but procedurally and substantively complex. An experienced New Jersey expungement lawyer can:
Review your complete criminal history
Determine eligibility under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.3
Prepare and file the required petition
Address objections from the State
Ensure full and enforceable expungement relief
Take the First Step Toward a Clean Slate
If past arrests or convictions are limiting your opportunities, N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.3 may provide the fresh start the Legislature intended. Speaking with a knowledgeable attorney can help you determine eligibility and navigate the process efficiently and correctly.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation.