In New Jersey, some people can ask to expunge disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons convictions after five years. The waiting period usually starts from the latest of the conviction date, payment of court fees and fines, end of probation or parole or release from jail.
Some people may qualify sooner under early-expungement rules. Eligibility depends on the offense, the number of convictions and the rest of the person’s record.
Not every conviction can be expunged. Some offenses are excluded by law. The best way to know if expungement is available is to review the statute and the criminal record.
How the expungement process works
If a person qualifies, the process may involve filing a petition with the court and giving details about the conviction and related records. It may also include notices and a review of the criminal history.
New Jersey also has limited automatic expungement rules for some records. So, not everyone has to go through the same petition process.
If the court grants an expungement or completes the process automatically, state law usually limits access to the records. Some exceptions may still apply.
What to consider next
A disorderly person’s conviction does not always have to stay public forever. The main question is whether the offense and the person’s record meet New Jersey’s expungement rules.