Having a criminal record makes life harder. It can impact your ability to find housing or a job, receive financial aid, and much more. Fortunately, the state of New York makes it possible to seal your criminal record, which makes your record unavailable to anyone except certain legal officials. Basically, once your record is sealed, it’s like you don’t have one at all.

When can I have my record sealed?

New York law imposes some conditions on people who want their records sealed. While records of arrests that don’t lead to a conviction or convictions for minor offenses are sealed automatically, sealing the record of more serious convictions involves a process. Convictions for a few major crimes, like murder, sexual misconduct, or arson, can’t be sealed.

However, if it’s been more than ten years since you were last convicted or incarcerated, you have fewer than two convictions on your record, and your convictions aren’t on the prohibited list, you can apply to seal your record. Even if you have more than two convictions, you might still be eligible to have your record sealed as long as the convictions weren’t based on more than two incidents. Both misdemeanor and felony convictions can be sealed.

What do I have to do to seal my record?

To seal your record, you have to submit an application to the court that presided over your conviction and the district attorney’s office that prosecuted you. The application must contain the Certificates of Disposition for your convictions and a list of reasons why the conviction should be sealed.

Should I hire a lawyer to help me seal my record?

It’s a very good idea to have a lawyer help you with this process. Record sealing isn’t automatic; the judge can summarily deny your application, and even if he doesn’t, there will be a hearing with the district attorney. Some district attorneys work hard to make sure criminal records don’t get sealed. They’re trained lawyers with a lot of experience, and you don’t want to face them alone. For the best chance at getting your record sealed, you should hire an attorney who’s an expert at having records sealed. We can advocate for you and make sure your arguments are strong enough to persuade the judge and the DA that you deserve to have your record sealed.

What happens when my record is sealed?

When your record is sealed, files related to your conviction only become available to certain legal authorities. That means employers, landlords, and lenders can’t see it, and you can get on with your life. Contact Rosenblum Law for a free consultation about record sealing.

Car accidents can be frightening, and many people react by leaving the scene before exchanging contact and insurance information. However, in New York, this can lead to a moving violation or even criminal charges. If you’re facing charges for leaving the scene, find a lawyer to represent you.

What should I do if I’m in a car accident?

If you’re involved in an accident with another car, the law requires you to exchange driver’s license and insurance information with the other driver. If the other car was parked and there is no other driver, you need to leave a note with your information. If anyone was injured in the accident, you need to report the accident to the police. However, don’t admit fault or even imply you were at fault; things you say at an accident scene can be used against you in court.

What are the penalties for leaving the scene without sharing information?

The penalties for leaving the scene without sharing information vary based on the severity of the accident. If there was only property damage, leaving the scene will result in 3 points on your driver’s license, a surcharge of $88 to $93 dollars, a fine of up to $250, and potentially 15 days in jail. As in any traffic offense, a conviction can also lead to an increase in your car insurance premiums.

If anyone was injured, the charge is much more serious. Leaving the scene when there are injuries is a criminal charge. On top of the normal penalties for leaving the scene, you’d face up to $5,000 in fines, up to a year in jail, and suspension of your license for a year. Plus, because it’s a criminal charge, conviction means a criminal record that will make it harder for you to find a job, housing, or credit. So, if you’re facing a charge for leaving the scene, get a lawyer, because the consequences can be very serious.

How do I beat charges for leaving the scene?

The best defense depends on the specifics of your case. For minor accidents, like backing into a parked car, we might be able to argue that you didn’t know you were in an accident at all. If the prosecutor’s case depends on something you said to the police, we might be able to get the statement thrown out if the police didn’t read you your Miranda rights. 

What should I do if I’m charged with leaving the scene?

If you’ve been charged with leaving the scene of an accident, contact Rosenblum Law today. Our traffic attorneys are experienced in dealing with leaving the scene charges, and we’ll be able to help find the best option for your case.