Can You Seal a Domestic Battery Charge ?

If you’re like many people, you’re not sure whether you can seal a domestic battery charge that appears on your criminal record – so here’s what you need to know.

Can You Seal a Domestic Battery Charge in Illinois?

First things first: There’s a major difference between a domestic battery charge and a domestic battery conviction. A charge simply means that the state of Illinois believes (or believed) that you committed the crime of domestic battery. A conviction means that you went to court over the charge and a judge or jury found you guilty of the crime.

You can seal a domestic battery charge that appears on your record if the charge was dropped or if you were found not guilty of the crime or your case was dismissed. 

However, you cannot seal a domestic battery conviction. A conviction will remain on your record forever.

Sealing a Domestic Battery Charge

Many people choose to work with an attorney to seal old charges on their criminal records. An alternative to sealing is expungement. Generally, dismissed cases and findings of not guilty are eligible for expungement, which you can discuss with your attorney.

Why It’s Important to Work With an Illinois Domestic Battery Defense Attorney

Because you can’t seal or expunge a domestic battery conviction, it’s a good idea to work with an Illinois domestic battery defense attorney who can get you the best possible outcome in your case. Although there’s no way to predict how a judge will rule, and no attorney can guarantee a specific outcome, working with a lawyer helps ensure that your rights are protected every step of the way – and that there’s someone there to argue on your behalf when necessary.

Do You Need to Talk to an Attorney About Domestic Battery Defense?

If you need to talk to a domestic battery defense attorney in Illinois, we’re here to help. Call us at 847-920-4540 now – we’ll be happy to give you a free consultation and talk to you about your options.