What to Expect From Your Free Record Sealing Consultation With Us
Most people who contact us about sealing their criminal record have never hired a criminal defense attorney before — and many haven't spoken to any attorney about anything. If that describes you, you may be wondering what a consultation actually involves and whether you're ready for one. This post is meant to answer those questions before we speak.
You Don't Need to Be Embarrassed
We handle criminal record sealing cases every day. We have worked with clients whose records involve everything from minor traffic offenses to serious felony convictions. Whatever is on your record, we have almost certainly seen something similar — and our job is to help you, not to judge you.
People often feel embarrassed talking about their past with a stranger, even a lawyer. That's completely understandable. What we can tell you is that the details of your case — what happened, what you were convicted of, what sentence you received — are exactly the kind of information we need to help you. The more openly you can share that information with us, the better we can assess your options.
Everything you share with us is protected by attorney-client privilege, which means we won’t disclose it to anyone without your permission.
What the Consultation Looks Like
Our initial consultations are free, typically last no more than about 30 minutes, and can be conducted by phone or video. There's no obligation to hire us afterward.
During the consultation we will:
• Ask you to describe your criminal history as best you can — what cases you have, what counties they were in, approximately when they occurred, and what the outcomes were
• Listen to what you're trying to accomplish — whether that's clearing your record for employment, housing, professional licensing, or another reason
• Give you a preliminary assessment of whether your record may be eligible for sealing based on what you tell us
• Explain the record sealing process, including the timeline and what it involves
• Discuss our fees and what working together would look like
We'll also answer any questions you have about the process, the law, or anything else that's on your mind.
What to Bring to the Consultation
You don't need to bring anything to the initial consultation — we can work with whatever information you have available. That said, the more information you can share, the more useful our conversation will be.
If you have access to any of the following before we speak, it's helpful to have them handy:
• The approximate dates of any arrests or court cases
• The counties where your cases were handled
• Whether your cases resulted in convictions, dismissals, or other outcomes
• Whether you completed any probation, community service, fines, or other sentence requirements — and when
If you don't have this information readily available, don't worry. We can still have a productive conversation and point you in the right direction for obtaining your records.
The Honest Reality: Sometimes We Need More Information
One thing we want to be upfront about: in some cases, we can give you a definitive answer about your eligibility during our initial consultation. In other cases — particularly when your record is complicated, involves multiple cases or counties, or when there are questions about your sentence completion dates — we may need to review your actual court records before we can tell you with certainty what's possible.
Obtaining and reviewing those records takes time and work. There are two ways to handle it:
You can do the research yourself. We have a blog post that walks you through exactly what information you need and where to find it. Many clients find this straightforward, particularly if their record is simple.
We can do it for you. We offer a records collection and review service for a flat fee of $350. We obtain your CBI arrest record and court records, review them, and give you a detailed assessment of your eligibility and options. If you decide to proceed with the full sealing process, the $350 is applied toward our total fee.
Either way, the goal of that research is the same — to give you a complete, accurate picture of your options before you commit to anything.
If You Decide to Move Forward
If after our consultation you decide to hire us to handle your record sealing, here's what happens next:
1. We confirm the details of our fee arrangement and you sign a retainer agreement
2. We obtain any records we don't already have
3. We prepare and file your Motion to Seal in the appropriate court
4. We handle all communication with the court and the prosecutor's office
5. We attend any required hearings on your behalf
6. We notify you when your record has been sealed
From the time we file your motion, most cases are resolved within two to four months, depending on the court's schedule and whether the prosecutor objects.
Ready to Talk?
If you have questions or would like to schedule a free consultation, we'd be glad to hear from you. There's no obligation and no pressure — just an honest conversation about your situation and your options.
Call us at (720) 541-8583, email us at josh@johnsonlawllc.com, or use the contact form on our website.
Josh Johnson is a Colorado criminal defense and record sealing attorney licensed since 2010, serving clients statewide from his office in Aurora, Colorado.