Boston, Massachusetts Defense Attorney - Clearing Your Criminal Record
Motions to Seal a Criminal Record
A criminal conviction can create difficulties later in life when you apply for a job, financial aid, a loan, or an apartment. Depending on the circumstances of your case, it may be possible to seal your criminal record even if you've pled guilty to a crime or been have been convicted of one. At the Law Office of David R. Yannetti, Attorney Yannetti may prepare and present motions (or "petitions") to seal for clients who want to seal their criminal records. If a charge against you was dismissed, your chances of getting it sealed may depend on whether it was an outright dismissal, or a dismissal after a period of pre-trial probation, or a dismissal after the charge was initially continued without a finding. If you pled guilty or were found guilty of a charge, you may have to wait a certain number of years before petitioning the court to seal your record. An experienced and competent attorney can properly advise your regarding the feasibility and desirability of filing a motion to seal your criminal record. Do not, however, assume that a criminal record must follow you throughout your life.
Massachusetts Criminal Convictions You May be Able to Seal
The following is only a short -- and not exhaustive -- list of possible criminal charges you may be able to seal:
- Drug possession
- Assault
- Weapons violations
- Property crimes such as theft, burglary, arson
- Fraud
What a Sealed Criminal Record Means
Once your criminal record is sealed -- and assuming that you have no other criminal history -- a search conducted by the Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board should produce the answer that you have "no criminal record." Consequently, when applying for a job, you may legally indicate on your application that you have never been convicted of any criminal offense. More importantly, you may also answer that you have never been charged or arrested for a criminal offense -- even though actually you had! The Massachusetts sealing statute authorizes such an answer. Since employers and information agencies use the Criminal History Systems Board for background checks, your record will once again be clean.
Questions? Contact Criminal Defense Attorney David R. Yannetti
Attorney Yannetti has had considerable success in filing petitions or motions to seal and understands what needs to be done in order to increase your chances of sealing your records. If you have questions regarding the potential sealing of your Massachusetts criminal record, contact me Boston criminal defense attorney David R. Yannetti today. I can evaluate your case and explain the available legal options to you.
Recent Motions to Seal:
January 28, 2010
Lowell District Court
Docket No. 0611-CR-0515
Client, a 26 year-old professional college graduate applying to prestigious business schools, had one blemish on her criminal record. As a result of becoming involved with a disingenuous man several years ago, Client was arrested for Sexual Conduct for a Fee. Mortified, embarrassed, and extremely concerned that this old charge might derail her future, Client initially contacted another attorney to try to expunge the charge from her record. That attorney gave bad advice to Client and failed at the expungement. Client thereafter hired Attorney Yannetti. Today, Attorney Yannetti succeeds in having all records of this case permanently sealed. As a result, Client can now truthfully answer on any job or official application that she has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any crime. Result: Case Permanently Sealed.January 22, 2010
Boston Municipal Court
Central Division
Docket No. 0101-CR-5292
Client, a 33 year-old college graduate working for the state, had a felony charge of Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon on her criminal record for the last eight years. Fearing that potential future employers might hold this information against her, Client hired Attorney Yannetti to petition the court to seal this case. Today, Attorney Yannetti succeeds in having all records of this case permanently sealed. As a result, Client can now truthfully answer on any job or official application that she has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any crime. Result: Case Permanently Sealed.October 30, 2009
Boston Municipal Court
East Boston Division
Docket No. 0805-CR-1015
Client, the local station manager for an airline, hired Attorney Yannetti in 2007 to fight charges that he had embezzled approximately $36,000.00 over the course of a year from his employer. On January 20, 2009, Attorney Yannetti persuaded a judge to allow his motion to dismiss the case. Client thereafter rehired Attorney Yannetti to petition the court to seal the case. Today, Attorney Yannetti succeeds in having all records of this case permanently sealed. As a result, Client can now truthfully answer on any job or official application that he has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any crime. Result: Case Permanently Sealed.June 10, 2009
Malden District Court
Docket No. 0850-CR-1362
In April of this year, this case was dismissed against Client after he had been placed on pre-trial probation and was ordered to receive anger-management counseling. Shortly after the dismissal, Client contacted Attorney Yannetti to petition to seal this case. Today, Attorney Yannetti succeeded in having all records of this conviction permanently sealed. As a result, Client can now truthfully answer on any job or official application that he has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any crime. Result: Case Permanently Sealed.June 9, 2009
Boston Municipal Court
West Roxbury Division
Docket No. 0806-CR-0847
Back on May 1, 2008, Attorney Yannetti successfully persuaded the prosecutor and the judge to place Client on pre-trial probation for this complaint alleging possession of a Class C controlled substance, underage possession of alcohol, resisting arrest and disorderly person. Client successfully completed pre-trial probation and the case was dismissed on October 1, 2008. Client's parents recently re-hired Attorney Yannetti to petition the court to seal this case. Today, after a hearing in court, Attorney Yannetti persuades the judge to permanently seal all of the records pertaining to these charges. Result: Case Permanently Sealed.May 1, 2009
Middlesex Superior Court
Docket No. 2006-1436
Back on February 8, 2008, Attorney Yannetti successfully persuaded the prosecutor and the judge to dismiss two serious indictments against Client -- one for deriving support from prostitution and the other for keeping a house of ill fame. Client thereafter re-hired Attorney Yannetti to petition the court to seal both indictments. Today, after a hearing in court, Attorney Yannetti persuades the judge to permanently seal all of the records pertaining to those charges. Result: Case Permanently Sealed.
April 23, 2009
Somerville District Court
Docket No. 0610-CR-2715
Back in September 2006, multiple charges of prostitution were dismissed against Client after she was indicted and the case was brought to superior court. Client therefore hired Attorney Yannetti to petition the court to seal these district court charges. Today, after a hearing in court, Attorney Yannetti persuades the judge to permanently seal all of the records pertaining to this case. Result: Case Permanently Sealed.
April 2, 2009
Cambridge District Court
Docket No. 0752-CR-3226
Back on August 8, 2008, after convincing a judge to suppress from evidence the cocaine that had allegedly been found on Client's person, Attorney Yannetti persuaded the district attorney's office to dismiss this narcotics case against Client. Client thereafter re-hired Attorney Yannetti to petition the court to seal the case. Today, after a hearing in court, Attorney Yannetti persuades the judge to permanently seal all of the records pertaining to this case. As a result, Client can now truthfully answer on any job or official application that he has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any crime. Result: Case Permanently Sealed.
March 26, 2009
Worcester District Court
Docket No. 9062-CR-7593
Back in 1990, represented by another attorney, Client pled guilty to shoplifting and paid a fine despite having no previous criminal record. Client was 23 years old then. In the ensuing years, Client graduated from school, moved out of state and became a police officer. Client therefore contacted Attorney Yannetti to petition to seal this old conviction. Today, Attorney Yannetti succeeded in having all records of this conviction permanently sealed. As a result, Client can now truthfully answer on any job or official application that she has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any crime. Result: Case Permanently Sealed.
February 12, 2009
Middlesex Superior Court
Docket No. 87-3487
Back in 1989, represented by another attorney, Client was sentenced to 6-8 years in state prison for a distribution of cocaine case. In 1990, after serving part of his state-prison sentence, Client's sentence was revised to a suspended sentence. He successfully completed probation in 1993. By early 2009, Client had grown up, completely turned his life around, and was now a medical doctor. Client contacts Attorney Yannetti to petition the court to seal this old conviction. Today, Attorney Yannetti's petition to seal was successful. As a result, Client can now truthfully answer on any job or official application that he has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any crime. Result: Case Permanently Sealed.
April 18, 2008
Boston Municipal Court
Central Division
Docket No. 0301-CR-0029
Back in 2003, Attorney Yannetti successfully convinced a judge to place Client on pre-trial probation, then ultimately to dismiss this felony larceny case against Client. Five years later, Client re-hired Attorney Yannetti to petition the court to seal the official records regarding this case. Today, Attorney Yannetti convinces the judge to permanently seal the records. As a result, Client can now truthfully answer on any job or school application that he has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any crime. Result: Case Permanently Sealed.
March 31, 2008
Boston Municipal Court
Central Division
Docket No. 0701-CR-8207
Back in January, Attorney Yannetti successfully convinced a judge to dismiss this domestic assault and battery case for Client. Thereafter, Client re-hired Attorney Yannetti to petition the court to seal the official records regarding this case. Today, Attorney Yannetti convinces the judge to permanently seal the records. As a result, Client can now truthfully answer on any job or school application that he has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any crime. Result: Case Permanently Sealed.
November 27, 2007
Somerville District Court
Docket No. 0710-CR-0771
Back in April, Attorney Yannetti successfully convinced a judge to dismiss this domestic assault and battery case for Client. Thereafter, Client re-hired Attorney Yannetti to petition the court to seal the official records regarding this case. Today, Attorney Yannetti convinces the judge to permanently seal the records. As a result, Client can now truthfully answer on any job or school application that he has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any crime. Result: Case Permanently Sealed.
September 26, 2007
Brookline District Court
Docket No. 0709-CR-0492
Last month, Attorney Yannetti successfully convinced a judge to dismiss this domestic assault and battery case for Client. Thereafter, Client re-hired Attorney Yannetti to petition the court to seal the official records regarding this case. Today, Attorney Yannetti convinces the judge to permanently seal the records. As a result, Client can now truthfully answer on any job or school application that she has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any crime. Result: Case Permanently Sealed.
August 7, 2007
Lynn District Court
Docket Nos. 0613-CR-5817; 0613-CR-5832; 0613-CR-5843
Clients, an elderly woman and her two daughters, were all originally charged with shoplifting on a joint venture theory. Back in October 2006, all three women hired Attorney Yannetti, who succeeded in convincing the prosecutor and the judge to dismiss all three cases upon the payment of $100 court costs by each Client. All three Clients subsequently re-hired Attorney Yannetti to petition the court to seal the official records regarding these cases. Today, Attorney Yannetti convinces the judge to seal all of the records. As a result, each Client can now truthfully answer on any job or school application that they were never arrested, charged or convicted of these crimes. Result: Cases Permanently Sealed.
