Expungement of New Jersey Municipal Ordinance Violations

New Jersey allows for the expungement of municipal ordinance violations. A municipal violation generally is defined as an offense violating a city ordinance. In order to qualify for expungement of a municiple ordinance violation in New Jersey, certain conditions must be met.

The waiting period to expunge a New Jersey municipal ordinance violation starts after completion of probation, payment of all fines and restitution, or release from incarceration (whichever is latest.) Below are eligiblity requirements to expunge a New Jersey municipal ordinance violation.

1. 2 years have passed since the terms of probation, incarceration or payment of all fines (whichever is latest)
2. No pending charges are against you
3. Must not be convicted of a crime in New Jersey or another state
4. Cannot have 3 or more disorderly or petty disorderly violations against you

Consider a free eligibility test for Expungment from Recordgone.com.

By having a record expunged, a person previously convicted of a crime greatly limits the number of people with access to that information. Getting an order of expunction avoids a situation where an employer might unjustly exclude a person convicted of a crime. Employers who are concerned about potential tort liability based on the hiring of an employee can often make an argument that the exclusion of a person based on his or her arrest or conviction record is in-line with a business necessity. Disputing an employer’s justification is a time-consuming process that necessitates an attorney specializing in employment and labor disputes. Simply expunging one’s record removes many practical and legal hurdles standing between a job applicant and a new career, avoiding further legal headaches down the line.

An employer in New Jersey may not use an expunged record and should not be able to even locate it. A person who has had his or her record expunged does not have to disclose the fact that the arrest or conviction occurred. Under New Jersey law, records that have been expunged are deemed not to have occurred.

Expungement Information for Bergen County, New Jersey
The process for expunging a record in Bergen County will be different depending on how your criminal proceedings are reflected on your record. Expunging a Bergen 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. For our detailed information regarding the addresses and contact information, visit our Bergen County Expungement Courts page here.

The process for expunging a record in Bergen 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. Bergen 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.

The Bergen County courts handle a large number of citizens, with Bergen County reporting 884,118 people, 330,817 households, and 235,210 families as of the 2000 census. There are additionally several academic institutions drawing students to Paramus, Teaneck, Hackensack, Lodi, Rutherford, Englewood Cliffs, and Mahwah.

Should I hire an Attorney to Expunge my Bergen 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 a Bergen 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 Bergen County court deciding your case can be measured in months. For further details on what the Bergen County Court staff may help you do and what they may not, read our Bergen County Expungement Attorney page here.

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