Legal Question in Criminal Law in Illinois

Re: retail theft

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Yes, unless your criminal records are physically destroyed, your employer may find information related to your offense of shoplifting. You must file a petition for expungement to have those physically destroyed by the court and by the law enforcement agencies. The law prohibits employers from considering any expunged or sealed records, and from asking whether you ever sealed or expunged any records. To expunge or seal your criminal record, you must file a Petition in the county where you were arrested or where you had your court case. The Illinois Appellate Defender�s website has four different forms for such Petitions. You will have to pay to file your Petition, or get that fee waived. When you file, ask the Clerk if a court date is required. Some counties don�t require one; others do. Make sure you know how your county does it. Four places must get a copy of your Petition once it is filed with the Clerk's office: the State�s Attorney where you file,

the agency that arrested you, that agency�s chief legal officer, and the Illinois State Police.

Please contact me if you any further questions. Good luck.