Under Colorado law, most adult criminal records and history are open and accessible to the public for inspection at anytime, by simply requesting the information from the court that retains the record. Additionally, online database retrieval, due to the enormous power of the internet, has enabled almost anyone to access any person's criminal history record at the touch-of-a-button.

As a direct result of criminal records held open in the public domain, many people who have had interactions with the criminal justice system, but yet were never convicted of a crime, have experienced serious educational, employment, and social consequences because of their open criminal records.

Although not all criminal records are eligible for a record seal, many criminal records, which remain open to public view are eligible and may be sealed under Colorado law.

Sealing a criminal record in Colorado is a complex, time-consuming process that requires the expertise and experience of a detail-oriented criminal defense attorney. The Law Office of Monte J. Robbins, Esq., with offices located in Denver, and Greeley, Colorado, represents clients in various Colorado District Courts in civil actions related to filing petitions to seal arrest and criminal records.

A person may be eligible for a record seal if she/he was arrested for a crime, but not charged; was charged, but the case was later dismissed; or, the person was acquitted of all charges at trial. Unfortunately, convictions for criminal offenses, and certain traffic offenses and infractions, may not be sealed, pursuant to Colorado Statute.

If you are eligible for a record seal, you may seal any and all records related to the incident, which include: any police contact record; any arrest record; any indictment, information or summons and complaint; any court case associated with the incident; and any other record held by a criminal justice agency related to the incident.

Accordingly, as soon as the court orders the criminal record(s) sealed, the person, whose criminal record was sealed, and the criminal justice agencies and courts involved, may lawfully represent that no such matter exists.

Although the record is not physically destroyed or altered, it may only be unsealed by further court order.

If you or a loved one is considering a record seal anywhere in Colorado, or you have questions regarding the process or eligibility requirements, call us immediately at 303-355-5148 or toll-free, statewide, at 1-888-DUI-COLO (1-888-384-2656) to discuss your options.