Criminal Defense Lawyers

New York Expungement

There are several consequences to being convicted of a crime. One of these consequences of being convicted of a crime is having a criminal record. The criminal record will include all of the arrests and court appearances that are related to your criminal case. criminal records are public records that are accessible to anyone including landlords and employers. Having a criminal record can result in your being denied employment, professional state licensing, and admission into school. In October of 2017, a new law that goes into effect allows defendants to have their criminal records sealed. However, having the criminal record sealed is a complicated task.

Effects of Sealing

The terms expungement and sealing are often used interchangeably, but they have a different meaning. Expungement means that the criminal record is erased. Sealing means that the record gets hidden from public view. Some states allow for the expungement of a criminal record. New York does not allow criminal records to be expunged. New York does allow for criminal records to be sealed. However, these records are permanent.

Eligibility for Sealing

Having a criminal record seal does not happen automatically. If you want your record sealed, you must apply by filing a motion with the court. You need to include specific information with the court. You need to include a sworn statement. You need to hire an attorney to help you with your statement. They will tell you what is in the sworn statement as well as what needs to be included in the motion for sealing.

Some minimum requirements must be met for your criminal record to be sealed. First, 10 years must have passed since you were sentenced for the crime you wish to have sealed. The conviction cannot be for a crime that is ineligible to be sealed. And, you cannot already have two sealed convictions. Other factors that the judge will consider includes:

Details of the Offense: The circumstances of the crime that the defendant wants to have sealed.

Time Elapsed: The amount of time since the defendant’s last conviction. The more time that has passed since the conviction, the better the chance of having the record sealed.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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The seriousness of the Offense: The seriousness of the crime that the defendant wants sealed can affect the chances of having the record sealed.

The Defendant’s character: If the defendant has taken steps to rehabilitate themselves, like acquiring a steady job, going to school, etc.

Public Safety: The impact that sealing a record could have on the safety of the public.

If the judge sees certain indicators that are present, the judge will automatically deny the application. For example, if the defendant had to register as a sex offender as a result of the crime, the judge will deny the request. Or, if the defendant already has two sealed convictions, the judge will deny the request.

If you were convicted of the crime and want to find out more about getting your criminal record sealed, you should contact Spodek Law Group. We can help you have your criminal record sealed. Please contact us at 888-409-0215 to schedule a confrontation with one of our attorneys. We have offices located in New York and Long Island.