A motion to seal criminal records is appropriate any time after probation is terminated.

Sealing conviction records can be a big help in obtaining state licenses, traveling abroad, or getting a job. If one is placed on probation the court must grant the motion if the defendant had no violations of the probation and has paid any fines. If there were violations of probation the court has discretion on whether or not to grant the motion and an attorney's assistance is helpful.

Records can be sealed in both felony and misdemeanor cases. In some cases where there was not a conviction the court can grant a motion for factual innocence which further clears the record.