If you’re a graduate of New Jersey’s drug court program, a landmark ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court just made it significantly easier for you to clear your criminal record.

In In the Matter of the Expungement of the Arrest/Charge Records of T.B., the Court removed a major legal hurdle that had previously discouraged many drug court graduates from pursuing expungement—even those who had turned their lives around.

🧾 The Background: A Burden on Drug Court Graduates

Prior to this ruling, a 2017 Appellate Division decision interpreted N.J.S.A. 2C:35-14(m) to require drug court graduates—even those convicted of lower-level offenses like third- and fourth-degree drug distribution—to prove that their expungement was “in the public interest.”

This meant petitioners had to:

  • Provide transcripts of hearings

  • Submit presentence reports

  • Show proof of rehabilitation through documents like diplomas, degrees, and character letters

  • Prepare formal legal arguments in support of their “public interest” case

This process was burdensome, expensive, and intimidating—often deterring deserving individuals from pursuing expungement at all.

⚖️ The Supreme Court’s Ruling: A Rebuttable Presumption

On January 8, 2019, the New Jersey Supreme Court reversed the lower court’s interpretation. In its opinion, the Court held that:

Drug court graduates with third- and fourth-degree drug offenses are entitled to a rebuttable presumption that expungement is in the public interest.

What does this mean?

  • Courts must now presume that expungement is appropriate for eligible drug court graduates

  • Graduates are no longer required to submit burdensome documentation or prove rehabilitation

  • Prosecutors may still object, but the burden is now on them to prove that expungement is not in the public interest (e.g., based on serious or violent crimes)

This new standard streamlines the process and reflects the reality that graduating from drug court is itself a strong indicator of rehabilitation.

👥 Why the Court Ruled This Way

The Supreme Court acknowledged that drug court is a rigorous, years-long program involving constant supervision by a team that includes:

  • Judges

  • Prosecutors

  • Probation officers

  • Treatment providers

Every action of the participant is monitored, recorded, and evaluated. By the time someone graduates, the system has had years to observe their character and progress. The Court recognized this as a more meaningful measure of rehabilitation than character letters or certificates.

📊 The Impact of the Ruling

Since New Jersey’s drug court program began in 2002, more than 5,400 people have graduated. Yet as of 2018, only about 750 had received expungements—largely because of the legal hurdles this ruling just removed.

With this new standard in place, advocates expect the number of drug court expungements to rise dramatically, giving more graduates the clean slate they’ve earned.

Why Expungement Isn’t One-and-Done

Too many people think once the judge signs their expungement order, their past is gone. But here’s the reality:

  • 25–30% of New Jersey agencies fail to update their databases correctly.

  • Private background check companies like TruthFinder, Checkr, and Sterling keep distributing outdated information unless they’re contacted directly.

  • That’s why so many people who’ve already “been expunged” call us saying:

“My record is still showing up — I thought this was done.”

How NSLF Does It Differently

At National Security Law Firm, led by Karen Howell, Esq., we don’t stop at filing petitions. We built a proprietary follow-up process to ensure your record is erased everywhere it matters:

  • Government Database Follow-Up — We confirm courts, police, probation, NJSP, and even the FBI actually clear your record.

  • Private Background Check Notifications — Our proprietary system notifies major reporting companies, included at no extra cost.

  • Lifetime Backup Support — If your record ever resurfaces years later, we step back in and fight to remove it — free.

  • Refund Guarantee — If your expungement is denied for reasons outside your control, we refund your legal fee.

👉 Read how we fix problems most firms ignore.

Expedited Expungements: Faster Than Ever

A typical New Jersey expungement can take close to a year. But since April 2025, you can request expedited processing with the NJ State Police — if your filing is done correctly.

At NSLF, we handle expedited petitions for qualifying clients. This can mean the difference between waiting months versus moving forward now with a job, license, or housing opportunity.

👉 Learn more about expedited expungements here.

Flat, Transparent Pricing

We keep pricing simple and predictable:

  • $1,500 for your primary offense

  • +$200 for each additional offense

  • +$1,800 (in addition to the standard fee) for:

    • Early Pathway Expungements (before the waiting period ends)

    • Drug Distribution Convictions (possession with intent to distribute)

  • +$2,500 (in addition to the standard fee) for expedited expungements

👉 See our complete pricing guide.

Affordable Payment Plans

Don’t let cost stand in the way of your second chance. With Affirm financing, you can:

  • Spread payments over 3, 6, 12, or 24 months

  • Check eligibility without impacting your credit score

  • Example: $1,500 expungement = about $65/month

👉 Explore financing options.

Our Refund Guarantee

We’re the only firm in New Jersey offering a money-back refund guarantee.

  • If your expungement is denied for reasons outside your control, you get a full refund of our fee.

  • ⚠️ The guarantee does not apply if you fail to disclose your complete criminal history.

Why Clients Choose NSLF

  • More expungements handled than any other firm in New Jersey

  • Proprietary process to fix government + private database errors

  • Lifetime record cleanup guarantee

  • Flat-rate pricing + financing options

  • Refund guarantee for peace of mind

  • Every case personally handled by Karen Howell, Esq.

👉 Visit our Expungement Resource Hub for guides, FAQs, and offense-specific information.

We’re Trusted With More Expungements in New Jersey Than Any Other Law Firm.

Don’t Lose Another Opportunity

Every day your record lingers is another day you could miss out on a job, housing, or peace of mind. Don’t wait. Start today.

👉 Book your free consultation now.

Hear From Our Clients

We are proud to be one of New Jersey’s most highly rated expungement firms, trusted by thousands across the state.

👉 Read our 5-star Google Reviews.

⚡ At NSLF, we don’t just file expungements. We erase your record everywhere it matters — for life.