Whenever you are taken you into custody by the police, an arrest record is created. It is a simple fact. And, just like an unwanted tattoo, an arrest record doesn’t go away unless you do something to remove it. Take the case of Ben, a college student. Ben got a summer internship with a financial services company. As is routine in this industry, Ben underwent a fingerprint criminal background check. His prints were sent to the FBI.
Read MoreAs of January 1, 2015, certain juvenile records will be automatically expunged by the Illinois State Police (ISP). This is a good news for teenagers who, at some point, will visit the police station -- and not on a school field trip. The new law acknowledges a sad truth: even a juvenile record can upend someone's job prospects years later.
Read MoreSeveral months ago I published the first part of a two-part blog posting on separating fact from fiction on the ramifications of having a criminal record. This posting includes the remaining five things you should know if you have a criminal record in Illinois:
Read MoreThe truth about having a criminal record is often misunderstood. Whether the fault of arm chair legal "experts" or urban legend, there is a great deal of information out there that is simply not true. The following is a list of the some of the most commonly-held falsehoods:
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