Sealing of Arrest Records

Colorado does not actually expunge, or destroy, criminal records, however you may petition to have arrest records sealed in order to avoid having this embarrassing information come up on background checks for jobs or housing.  If you were arrested and the charges were dismissed or you were acquitted at trial, the arrest record may continue to show up on your record, unless your petition the court to have the record sealed. Alaurice Tafoya-Modi is an experienced Denver criminal defense attorney who can help you get your record sealed.

After you and your criminal defense lawyer petition the court to have the record sealed, the District Attorney has a chance to object to the sealing. If the district attorney does not object, the judge will generally approve the petition and your record will be sealed. In this case, the record still exists, and law enforcement agencies will still have access to it, but outside agencies that perform background checks for other reasons will no longer be able to see the record. Furthermore, you will be able to indicate on job applications that you have not been arrested.