New Jersey Essex County Expungement Info

Expungement Information for Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is the second most densely populated county in New Jersey, encompassing the cities of both Newark and East Orange. The process for expunging a record in Essex County will be different depending on how your criminal proceedings are reflected on your record. Expunging an Essex County criminal record will result in your being able to pursue your future and dreams without being held back by a past mistake.

A petition for expungement must be filed in the Superior Court in the county where the arrest or prosecution took place. The first step will always be to collect paper copies of your criminal record history from the police and courts. For our detailed information regarding the addresses and contact information, visit our Essex County Expungement Courts page here.

The process for expunging a record in Essex County, New Jersey takes from five to six months. Some cases will take more time or less time, depending on the specific facts of your case and how the interaction with the prosecutor’s office will go. Often times this will depend on the position that the prosecutor takes, including whether the prosecutor will agree with your petition to expunge your record or object. Essex County prosecuting attorneys will often look at the time that has passed since you case was handled, the severity of the offense, and your compliance with the terms and conditions of your sentence.

Essex County expungements will include the following cities, municipalities, boroughs, and townships: Belleville, Bloomfield, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Orange, East Orange, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair, Newark, North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange Village, Verona, West Caldwell, and West Orange.

Should I hire an Attorney to Expunge my Essex County Criminal Record?
The option to attempt to expunge your record on your own is available, but is not recommended by the New Jersey State Courts. Hiring an attorney to represent your interests in expunging an Essex County, New Jersey criminal record is a great way to ensure the process is done right the first time. Receiving a rejection can result in extra delay, adding additional time before you can effectively move on with your life, career, and family. The amount of delay resulting in a rejection from the Essex County court deciding your case can be measured in months. For further details on what the Essex County Court staff may help you do and what they may not, read our Essex County Expungement Attorney page here.

Essex County, New Jersey courts operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. The sooner you begin your petition to expunge your criminal record in Essex County, the sooner you can move on with your life.