If you have a criminal record in Lakewood and you're wondering whether you can clear it, you're asking the right questions. A criminal record—even for minor offenses or arrests that didn't result in conviction—can affect your employment, housing, and other opportunities. Colorado law allows some people to seal or expunge their records, but the process has specific rules, timelines, and eligibility requirements.
This guide explains how record sealing and expungement work in Lakewood and Jefferson County, what you need to qualify, and how to take the next step. Understanding the legal framework can help you decide whether pursuing this option makes sense for your situation.
Understanding Colorado's Record Sealing and Expungement Laws
Colorado uses both "sealing" and "expungement" to describe processes for limiting public access to criminal records, but they work differently. In most cases, when people talk about clearing a criminal record in Colorado, they're referring to sealing.
Record sealing means your criminal record still exists, but it's hidden from most public searches. Employers, landlords, and others conducting routine background checks won't see sealed records. However, certain government agencies—including law enforcement and some licensing boards—may still access sealed records under specific circumstances. Sealed records can also be unsealed by court order in some situations.
Expungement, by contrast, means the record is actually destroyed or returned to you. Colorado law allows true expungement only in limited situations, primarily for juveniles, certain dismissed cases, or cases involving factual innocence. For most adult criminal cases in Lakewood, sealing is the available remedy.
The state uses different statutes depending on what you're trying to seal. The main laws are found in Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-701 through § 24-72-710, which cover criminal records maintained by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and § 16-5-701 through § 16-5-706 for arrest and court records. Understanding which statute applies to your case matters because the eligibility rules and waiting periods differ.
Who Is Eligible for Record Sealing in Lakewood?
Not everyone with a criminal record can seal it. Colorado law sets strict eligibility requirements based on the type of offense, the outcome of your case, and how much time has passed.
You may be eligible to seal your record if any of these apply:
- Your case was dismissed. If charges were dropped or dismissed, you can petition to seal the record immediately in many cases, though some exceptions apply for certain violent offenses.
- You were acquitted. If you went to trial and were found not guilty, you can petition to seal the record.
- You completed a deferred judgment or deferred sentence. If you successfully finished a deferred judgment program, you may be eligible to seal the record, though waiting periods apply depending on the offense.
- You were convicted of certain eligible offenses. Colorado allows sealing of some misdemeanor and felony convictions after waiting periods ranging from one year (for petty offenses and certain drug misdemeanors) to ten years (for some felonies).
- You were arrested but never charged, or charges were never filed. Arrest records without convictions can often be sealed, though you typically need to wait one year from the date of arrest.
Some offenses can never be sealed under Colorado law. These include most traffic offenses (though some municipal violations may be eligible), sex offenses requiring registration, class 1 or 2 misdemeanors or felonies involving violence (with some exceptions after ten years), and offenses involving children or at-risk adults.
For convictions, you must also meet these general requirements: you've completed your entire sentence, including probation, parole, and payment of restitution; you haven't been convicted of a new criminal offense during the required waiting period; and you don't have pending criminal charges.
Lakewood sits in Jefferson County, so your case would have been handled through the Jefferson County Courts. The specific facts of your case—the charges, the outcome, when it happened, and your criminal history since then—all determine whether you qualify.
The Process for Sealing Records in Jefferson County
Sealing a criminal record in Jefferson County requires filing a petition with the court that handled your case. The process involves multiple steps and can take several months from start to finish.
First, you need to obtain a copy of your criminal record from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. This is called a criminal history record, and it shows all arrests and convictions on file with the state. You'll need this to identify exactly which records you're asking to seal and to confirm your eligibility. You can request your record through the CBI's website.
Next, you prepare and file a petition with the appropriate court. For Lakewood cases, this is typically the Jefferson County District Court or a municipal court, depending on where your case was prosecuted. The petition must include specific information: the case number, the charges, the disposition (outcome), and the legal basis for why you're eligible to seal the record. You'll also need to file a proposed order for the judge to sign if the petition is granted.
There's a filing fee, which varies by court but is typically around $224 for district court petitions. If you cannot afford the fee, you can file a motion to waive it based on indigency.
After you file the petition, the court schedules a hearing. The district attorney's office receives notice and has the opportunity to object. In some cases—particularly for dismissed charges or acquittals—the DA may not object. For conviction-based petitions, prosecutors often review your criminal history and the circumstances of the offense before deciding whether to oppose sealing.
At the hearing, the judge considers whether sealing serves the interests of justice and whether you meet the statutory requirements. If the judge grants the petition, they'll sign an order directing the court, law enforcement agencies, and the CBI to seal the record. If you're sealing multiple cases, you may need separate petitions for each one.
Once the order is signed, the sealing takes effect, but it can take several weeks or longer for all agencies to update their systems. You should follow up to confirm that the CBI and local agencies have actually sealed the records as ordered.
Costs, Timelines, and What to Expect
The direct costs for filing a petition to seal records in Jefferson County include the court filing fee, typically $224, and the cost of obtaining your criminal history from the CBI, which is around $10. If you hire an attorney to handle the petition, legal fees vary widely but commonly range from $1,500 to $3,500 depending on the complexity of your case and whether there are multiple offenses to address.
Some cases are more straightforward than others. Sealing a single dismissed charge is usually simpler and faster than sealing a conviction with a lengthy criminal history. If the district attorney objects to your petition, the process becomes more complicated and may require additional hearings or legal arguments.
The timeline from filing to completion varies. For uncontested petitions, you might complete the process in three to six months. Contested petitions or cases involving multiple offenses can take longer—sometimes up to a year or more if there are delays or appeals.
After your record is sealed, most employers and landlords won't see it on background checks. However, you should understand the limits. Sealed records can still appear in certain situations: government agencies conducting security clearance checks may access them; professional licensing boards may see them; and if you're arrested again, law enforcement will see your full criminal history including sealed records. Courts may also unseal records if you're charged with a new crime.
You're generally allowed to answer "no" when asked if you've been convicted of a crime if the conviction has been sealed, but there are exceptions—particularly for certain professional licenses, government jobs, or positions working with children or vulnerable populations. It's important to understand what the law requires you to disclose in your specific situation.
What Expungement Is Available in Colorado
True expungement—where the record is destroyed—is rare in Colorado and applies to very specific situations. Juvenile records may be expunged under certain conditions after a waiting period. Cases involving identity theft or mistaken identity can sometimes be expunged when you can prove you weren't actually the person who committed the offense. DNA exonerations and declarations of factual innocence may also lead to expungement.
For most adult criminal cases in Lakewood, record sealing under the statutes described above is the available option, not expungement. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably in casual conversation, but legally they're different processes with different outcomes.
If your case involves unusual circumstances—such as stolen identity or wrongful arrest—you should discuss with a lawyer whether expungement might apply rather than sealing.
How a Lawyer Can Help
You're not required to hire a lawyer to petition for record sealing, and some people successfully handle simple cases on their own. However, an attorney experienced in Colorado criminal record sealing can navigate the process more efficiently, especially if your situation involves complications.
A lawyer can review your full criminal history to identify which records are eligible for sealing and which aren't. They can determine the correct waiting periods, prepare the petition and supporting documents, anticipate and respond to objections from the district attorney, and represent you at the hearing. If you have multiple offenses across different jurisdictions or time periods, a lawyer can coordinate petitions and address any legal issues that arise.
When you're considering hiring a lawyer, ask about their experience with record sealing in Jefferson County specifically. Find out what their fees include—whether it covers the filing fee, multiple hearings if necessary, and follow-up to confirm the records are sealed. Ask how long they expect the process to take and what factors could delay it.
If cost is a barrier, some legal aid organizations and pro bono programs in Colorado offer assistance with record sealing for people who qualify financially. The Colorado Lawyer Referral Service can also connect you with attorneys who handle these cases.
Making the Decision
Clearing your criminal record in Lakewood is possible if you meet Colorado's eligibility requirements, but it requires understanding the law, following the correct procedures, and being patient with the timeline. Whether sealing your record makes sense depends on what's on your record, how long ago it happened, and what opportunities you're trying to access.
If you're eligible and you're facing barriers because of a criminal record—trouble finding work, difficulty renting housing, or problems with professional licensing—pursuing record sealing may be worth the time and cost. If you're not sure whether you qualify or which offenses can be sealed, consulting with a Colorado lawyer who handles record sealing can give you clarity about your options.
You can search the Local Lawyers Colorado directory for attorneys in the Lakewood area who focus on criminal record sealing and expungement. When you reach out, come prepared with information about your case: the charges, the outcome, when it happened, and your criminal history since then. That will help the lawyer assess whether you're eligible and what the process will involve.
Understanding your rights and the legal process puts you in a better position to take the next step. Colorado law recognizes that past mistakes shouldn't always define your future, and record sealing is one tool for moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between expungement and record sealing in Colorado?
In Colorado, record sealing hides your criminal record from most public searches, but the record still exists and can be accessed by certain government agencies and unsealed by court order in some situations. Expungement means the record is actually destroyed or returned to you. True expungement is only available in limited cases—primarily for juveniles, dismissed cases involving factual innocence, or identity theft situations. For most adult criminal records in Lakewood, sealing is the available option, not expungement.
Am I eligible to get my criminal record expunged in Lakewood?
Eligibility depends on the type of offense, the outcome of your case, and how much time has passed. You may qualify if your case was dismissed, you were acquitted, you completed a deferred judgment, or you were convicted of certain eligible offenses and have waited the required time period (ranging from one year to ten years depending on the offense). Some offenses can never be sealed, including most sex offenses requiring registration, class 1 or 2 misdemeanors or felonies involving violence, and offenses involving children. You must also have completed your entire sentence, have no pending charges, and not have been convicted of a new crime during the waiting period.
How long does it take to get a record expunged in Jefferson County?
The timeline varies depending on whether your petition is contested. For straightforward, uncontested cases, the process typically takes three to six months from filing the petition to the final order being entered and agencies updating their systems. If the district attorney objects to your petition or if you're sealing multiple offenses, the process can take longer—sometimes up to a year or more. After the judge signs the sealing order, it can take several additional weeks for all agencies, including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, to update their records.
Will expungement remove my arrest from background checks and employment screening?
Once your record is sealed, most employers and landlords conducting routine background checks will not see it. However, there are important exceptions. Government agencies conducting security clearance checks may still access sealed records, as can professional licensing boards in some cases. Law enforcement will see your full criminal history, including sealed records, if you're arrested again. You're generally allowed to answer "no" when asked about criminal convictions after sealing, but certain jobs—particularly those involving children, vulnerable adults, or professional licenses—may still require disclosure.
How much does it cost to file for expungement in Colorado?
The court filing fee in Jefferson County is typically around $224 for a petition to seal records, plus approximately $10 to obtain your criminal history from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. If you hire an attorney, legal fees commonly range from $1,500 to $3,500 depending on the complexity of your case and how many offenses need to be addressed. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can file a motion to waive the fee based on indigency. Some legal aid organizations in Colorado also offer assistance with record sealing for people who qualify financially.