Effect of Expungement in New Jersey
One of the most common questions we hear at National Security Law Firm is:
“What does expungement actually do?”
Under New Jersey law—specifically N.J.S.A. 2C:52-27, titled “Effect of Expungement”—when your record is expunged, it is deemed not to have occurred. That means your arrest, charge, or conviction is legally treated as if it never happened.
Once your record is expunged:
-
You are legally entitled to answer “No” to any question about prior arrests or convictions (with limited exceptions)
-
Employers, landlords, licensing boards, and most other entities will not see your expunged record during a background check
-
You can move forward in life without the weight of a criminal past holding you back
🧾 What Happens to Your Criminal Record After Expungement?
Expungement in New Jersey doesn’t destroy your record—it extracts and isolates it from public access. The agencies that hold your records (such as the courts, police, probation, NJ State Police, and FBI) are required to move them to a secure, restricted location that is not accessible to the public.
This includes:
-
Fingerprints
-
Mugshots
-
Police reports
-
Complaints and warrants
-
Court docket entries
-
RAP sheets and arrest logs
These records are removed from public view and no longer appear on background checks performed by employers, landlords, or most government agencies.
👁️ Are There Any Exceptions?
While expungement seals your record from the public, there are limited exceptions where law enforcement or courts may still access it:
-
If you apply for another expungement, the court will review any prior expungements
-
If you seek entry into a diversionary program like PTI or Conditional Discharge, your expunged record may be reviewed
-
If you’re involved in future legal proceedings, such as sentencing or bail
-
If you apply for a job with law enforcement, corrections, or the judiciary, your expunged record must be disclosed and may be reviewed
-
If required by certain government agencies, such as the Violent Crimes Compensation Board
For all other purposes—employment, housing, school, licensing, and background checks—your record will return as “No Record Found” after expungement.
👩⚕️ What About Professional Licenses?
Unless you’re applying for a job in law enforcement or the court system, you do not need to disclose your expunged record, even when applying for professional licenses in fields like:
-
Teaching
-
Nursing
-
Medicine
-
Accounting
-
Real estate
-
Most other licensed professions
This opens the door to professional advancement and opportunities that were previously off-limits due to your past.
Transparent, Flat-Rate Pricing
We believe clearing your record should be accessible and affordable. That’s why we offer flat, transparent pricing for all New Jersey expungements:
-
$1,500 for your primary offense
-
+$200 for each additional offense
-
+$1,800 for early expungement or drug distribution cases
👉 See our full pricing breakdown here.
Flexible Payment Options
Don’t let cost hold you back. We proudly offer flexible payment plans through Affirm, allowing you to spread payments over 3, 6, 12, or 24 months — with no impact on your credit just to check eligibility.
👉 Explore our financing options here.
Our Guarantee: Expungement or Your Money Back
At NSLF, we stand behind our work. If your expungement is denied for reasons beyond your control, we refund your full legal fee.
⚠️ Important: This guarantee applies only to our legal fee, not the outcome of your case. If your expungement is denied because of incomplete or inaccurate disclosure of your criminal history, the guarantee does not apply.
Why Expunged Records Still Show Up—and How NSLF Does What Other Firms Don’t
Most law firms stop once the court grants your expungement. But too often, your record still lingers in databases and background checks. At NSLF, we go further: we track your record, correct government errors, and notify private background check companies—steps almost no other firm takes.
👉 Read how we fix the problem here.
Why Choose NSLF for Your Expungement?
We believe we are the best expungement law firm in New Jersey—and our record proves it:
-
We handle more expungements in New Jersey than any other firm.
-
Our attorneys know every county court, clerk, and prosecutor’s office statewide.
-
We don’t stop at filing—we ensure your record is cleared everywhere it matters.
-
Our flat fees, financing options, and refund guarantee make us the safest choice.
👉 Visit our New Jersey Expungement Information Hub for answers to all your questions about expungements.
We’re Trusted With More Expungements in New Jersey Than Any Other Law Firm.
Take the First Step Toward a Clean Slate
The sooner you begin, the sooner you can move forward with your life—free of the burden of your criminal record. Don’t wait.
👉 Book your free expungement consultation now.
What Clients Say About Us
We’re proud to be one of the highest-rated expungement law firms in New Jersey.