If you’re considering applying for an expungement in New Jersey but have arrests or convictions from another state, you may be wondering how those offenses will affect your eligibility.
At National Security Law Firm, our New Jersey expungement lawyers regularly help clients understand how out-of-state criminal history may impact their ability to expunge records in New Jersey. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we receive.
❓ Will My Out-of-State Arrest or Conviction Affect My Eligibility for Expungement in New Jersey?
Yes, it can. That’s why it’s absolutely critical that you disclose your entire criminal history—including out-of-state offenses—to your expungement attorney from the very beginning.
This includes:
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Felonies and misdemeanors from other states
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Arrests that did not result in conviction
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Municipal ordinance violations
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Criminal traffic offenses (like DUI in some states)
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Prior expunged records from any jurisdiction
Failure to disclose your full criminal history is one of the most common and serious mistakes clients make when seeking expungement. If the County Prosecutor discovers an out-of-state conviction that you failed to mention, they will likely object to your petition for failure to disclose, which may:
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Delay your case by several months
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Require your attorney to file an amended petition and re-serve all parties
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Result in additional legal fees
Avoid these issues by being upfront with your attorney—even if you’re unsure whether a prior offense “counts.”
❓ Can a New Jersey Expungement Lawyer Expunge My Out-of-State Conviction?
No. A New Jersey expungement attorney can only help you expunge arrests or convictions that occurred within New Jersey.
Each state has its own laws regarding expungement:
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Some states offer broad expungement opportunities (like NJ)
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Others offer limited or no expungement relief at all
If your offense occurred outside New Jersey, you’ll need to speak with a criminal defense or expungement attorney licensed in that state. However, when applying for an expungement in New Jersey, you must still disclose your out-of-state offenses so that we can properly assess your eligibility.
❓ I’m Not Sure What’s on My Criminal Record. What Should I Do?
If you don’t know your complete criminal history, we recommend reviewing our detailed guide:
👉 How to Obtain a Copy of Your Criminal Record
This resource explains how to request:
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Your official NJ criminal history (rap sheet)
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Your FBI criminal background report
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Out-of-state criminal records from other jurisdictions
Being proactive about gathering your full history will help us get your expungement filed and processed faster—with fewer surprises along the way.
Clear Your Record. Reclaim Your Future.
If you’re reading this, chances are your criminal record is holding you back. Maybe it cost you a job. Maybe a landlord turned you down. Maybe you live with the constant fear that one background check could change everything.
Here’s the truth: your record doesn’t have to define your future.
The Pain No One Warns You About
Most people think expungement is the end of the story. File the petition. Get the judge’s order. Done.
But our audits show the reality:
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25–30% of NJ agencies don’t update their databases.
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Private background check companies like TruthFinder, Checkr, and Sterling are never notified unless someone forces them.
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That means your record can live on — even after you “paid for an expungement.”
And that’s why frustrated clients come to us saying:
“I thought my record was gone — but it’s still showing up.”
The NSLF Solution: Expungements That Actually Work
At National Security Law Firm, led by Karen Howell, Esq., we do more than just file paperwork:
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We confirm government compliance. Courts. Police. Probation. NJSP. Even the FBI.
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We notify private background check companies through our proprietary process.
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We back you for life. If your record ever resurfaces, we fight to remove it — free.
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We protect you financially. If your expungement is denied for reasons outside your control, we refund your fee.
👉 Read why expunged records still show up—and how we fix it.
What It Costs — And Why It’s Worth It
We believe in flat, transparent pricing:
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$1,500 for your primary offense
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+$200 for each additional offense
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+$1,800 (in addition to the standard fee) for early expungements or drug distribution cases
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+$2,500 (in addition to the standard fee) for expedited expungements
👉 See our complete pricing guide.
Can’t Pay All At Once? No Problem.
With Affirm financing, you can:
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Pay over 3, 6, 12, or 24 months
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Check eligibility with no impact on your credit score
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Example: $1,500 expungement = about $65/month
👉 View our payment plan options.
Faster Relief Is Now Possible
Most expungements take a year. But as of April 2025, you can request expedited NJSP processing if your petition is filed correctly.
We know how to do it right — giving you the fastest legal path to a clean record.
👉 Learn how expedited expungements work.
Why Trust Us?
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We handle more expungements than any other firm in NJ.
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We fix errors other lawyers ignore.
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We provide lifetime record cleanup.
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We offer the only refund guarantee in New Jersey.
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We keep pricing flat and simple.
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Every case is handled by Karen Howell, Esq. — not passed off to an assistant.
👉 Explore our Expungement Resource Hub for eligibility charts, guides, and offense-specific answers.
We’re Trusted With More Expungements in New Jersey Than Any Other Law Firm.
The Offer: Start Today, Risk-Free
Every day you wait is another lost opportunity. Another job you can’t get. Another lease denied. Another “no” when it should have been a “yes.”
Here’s our promise:
✔ Flat pricing
✔ Easy payment plans
✔ Lifetime cleanup support
✔ Money-back guarantee
👉 Book your free consultation now.
Quick. Easy. Risk-Free.
Proof From Real Clients
Don’t just take our word for it. Read what hundreds of clients across New Jersey have said:
👉 See our 5-star Google Reviews.
⚡ NSLF doesn’t just file expungements. We erase your record everywhere it matters — for life.
