Reviewed by William A. Proetta, Esq. · Updated October 2026 Short Answer Yes, most theft and fraud convictions in New Jersey can be expunged. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2, the usual wait for an indictable conviction is five years, or four with a showing of “compelling circumstances.” Theft, shoplifting, forgery, credit card fraud, identity theft, insurance fraud […]
Category: Expungements
The New Jersey State Police (NJSP) have reached a settlement in a class-action lawsuit that alleged the NJSP’s systemic failure to update criminal background checks after court-ordered expungements. The backlog has had long-term consequences for people trying to move forward with their lives. Expungement delays often impact jobs, housing, and reputations. Background of the Expungement […]
New Jersey follows the federal seven-year rule, but that rule does not cover criminal convictions, and New Jersey adds no state time limit of its own. Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681c), background check companies generally cannot report arrests that did not lead to a conviction once they are more than […]