Even though charges will be dismissed when you successfully complete the terms of a conditional discharge, the record of the arrest itself will stand.
This can pose a problem when you seek employment, apply to a college, or try to rent an apartment.
Six months after the court dismisses the charges against you, you are entitled to petition to have your arrest record expunged.
This will remove all public listings of your arrest and the disposition of your case, meaning that potential employers and others won’t be able to see it.
The exception is in the case of a career in the military, law enforcement, or federal law enforcement.
In those cases, you should expect that the record will be visible, and should always disclose the arrest, with a full explanation.
Conditional discharges don’t make everything go away, but they’re usually preferable to other outcomes.
When you’re facing criminal charges in New Jersey, call attorney Matthew Reisig at 732-625-9661 for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense lawyer.