How to Seal a Criminal Record in Worcester, Massachusetts

Sealing a criminal record is the process of removing arrests and convictions from public view. Your records become segregated and confidential. Sealing your records differ from expunging records. Expunging removes all records, so there is no trace of the information. Sealing only hides the records. In most cases, only a court can view a sealed criminal record during sentencing in subsequent criminal proceedings. In Worcester and other parts of Massachusetts, you are eligible to seal your criminal records under certain conditions.

Instructions

1. Obtain a copy of your Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI). Your CORI displays all of your criminal history. To obtain your CORI, you must complete a Personal Massachusetts Criminal Record Request form. As of November 2010, the fee to obtain your CORI is $25. Complete the form and sign it in front of a notary public. Mail the form and a check or money order made payable to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts" to:

   The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services

   200 Arlington St., Suite 2200

   Chelsea, MA 02150

   ATTN: CORI Unit

   You should receive a copy of your CORI within two to three weeks.

2. Determine the length of time since your last conviction. If your previous conviction was a misdemeanor, you must wait 10 years after your conviction. If your conviction was a felony, you must wait 15 years.

3. Establish whether you are eligible to have your criminal records sealed. The state of Massachusetts requires that you have no subsequent convictions after the previous conviction and not have in prison for the past 10 years. Convictions do not include motor vehicle offenses under $50. If the crime you were convicted of is no longer considered a crime in the state of Massachusetts, your records are eligible for immediate sealing. If you were not convicted of the crime, due to dismissal, not guilty, no probable cause or the prosecutor does not wishing to prosecute the case, you can have your record sealed immediately.

4. Go to the Massachusetts Court System website and print a Petition to Seal form.

5. Complete and sign the form. You must provide information about your criminal history and personal information about yourself. Agree that all of the information is correct to the best of your knowledge and sign the form.

6. Return the Petition to Seal form to the county court where your case was heard. If your case occurred in Worcester, Massachusetts, you must return the form to: Worcester District Court

   225 Main Street

   Worcester, MA 01608

7. Receive the time and date of your scheduled hearing. The clerk will schedule a court hearing before a judge. At this hearing, you will have an opportunity to present your case to have your records sealed.

8. Attend the court hearing and answer any questions of the court. The judge will determine whether your criminal records are eligible for sealing.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cannot afford the $25 fee to obtain a copy of our CORI, you can complete an "Affidavit of Indigency." If you fall within the income limits, you will receive your CORI at no cost.

• Juvenile records are eligible for sealing after three years. There must be no subsequent convictions.

• First convictions involving misdemeanor drug possession can be sealed without waiting the 10-year period.

• For more information, contact an attorney or the Worcester District Court at 508-831-2010.

• The state of Massachusetts does not charge a fee to file a Petition to Seal.

• After your criminal record is sealed, you can answer "No" to anyone asking if you have been convicted of a crime.

• Sealing a criminal record allows you to hold office and qualify for public employment such as a police or probation officer.

References

• Massachusetts Legislature: Requests to Seal Files, Conditions, Application of Section; Effect of Sealing of Records
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Statues Govering Sealing of Court Records
• Massachusetts Legal Help: Sealing My CORI
• Massachusetts Legal Help: How Do I Get a Copy of My CORI?
• Massachusetts Court System: Worcester District Court

Resources

• Massachusetts Court System: Personal Massachusetts Criminal Record Request Form
• Massachusetts Court System: Petition to Seal
• Massachusetts Court System: Affidavit of Indigency