Expungement Services Durango
Having a criminal record can limit employment opportunities and personal growth in Durango, Colorado, but our comprehensive expungement services can help you seal eligible records and move forward with a clean slate.
Understanding Colorado Record Sealing Laws
Colorado law allows sealing of certain criminal records, making them inaccessible to most employers and landlords during background checks. Record sealing differs from expungement because sealed records still exist but remain hidden from public view.
Colorado's Clean Slate Act expanded sealing opportunities for many misdemeanor and felony convictions, particularly benefiting La Plata County residents.
Eligibility Requirements for Expungement
Petty offenses typically qualify for sealing immediately after case completion. Drug possession charges may be sealed after completing court-ordered treatment programs.
Many misdemeanor convictions become eligible for sealing three years after case completion. Many felony convictions qualify for sealing five years after sentence completion, provided no new charges occurred.
Certain serious crimes remain permanently ineligible, including domestic violence and sexual offenses. According to Colorado Judicial Department statistics, approximately 67% of sealing petitions receive court approval.
The Expungement Process in Colorado
The sealing process begins with obtaining certified copies of criminal records from courts throughout the Durango area. We file petitions with La Plata County District Court, including documentation supporting your rehabilitation efforts.
Court hearings may be required for contested cases. Successful petitions result in court orders directing all agencies to seal records, including local law enforcement and databases.
The process typically takes three to six months. Sealed records generally won't appear on routine background checks, but some employers or licensing agencies may still have access or require disclosure.
Benefits of Clearing Your Criminal Record
Employment opportunities expand significantly after record sealing, particularly in Durango's tourism and hospitality industries where background checks are standard. Professional licensing boards cannot consider sealed convictions.
Housing options improve dramatically as most landlords cannot access sealed records during tenant screening. Educational institutions typically cannot view sealed records when reviewing applications.
Personal relationships benefit when the burden of disclosure no longer affects dating and community involvement. Insurance rates may decrease for policies that consider criminal history.
How We Can Help with Your Expungement
We begin with comprehensive record reviews to identify all eligible charges and determine optimal timing for petitions. Our team handles complex cases involving arrests in Cortez, Bayfield, or surrounding communities.
We draft persuasive petitions highlighting your rehabilitation, community involvement, and positive life changes since the original charges. Character references from employers, community leaders, and Fort Lewis College faculty strengthen your case.
Our experience with local prosecutors and judges in La Plata County helps navigate potential objections efficiently. We understand that carrying a criminal record feels burdensome in a close-knit community like Durango.
Starting fresh shouldn't remain an impossible dream. You don't have to let past mistakes define your future opportunities.