If you have a criminal record in Massachusetts, you can sometimes get the document sealed or expunged. In most cases, this is only an option people have as long as they stayed out of trouble for some time. Whenever a record is sealed, the document is still out there – it’s just not readily reachable. But when a file is expunged, the info is deleted just as if the criminal incident never occurred.
Sealing a report does not always mean nobody will ever find out about your criminal record. Occasionally, it’s possible to unseal a record if a court order is issued. However, whenever a document is sealed or expunged, individuals such as landlords or employers typically can not discover your past.