Westminster Expungement Lawyers — Record Sealing in Adams and Jefferson Counties
A criminal record in Westminster limits employment opportunities, affects housing applications, and can block professional licensing — sometimes for offenses that occurred years or decades ago. Colorado’s expanded record sealing statutes offer meaningful relief for many Westminster and north Denver metro residents, and in recent years the legislature has made more offense types and more people eligible than ever before. Westminster’s dual-county geography adds a procedural wrinkle that matters: record sealing petitions must be filed in the county where the original case was heard — which for Westminster residents may be Adams County, Jefferson County, or both if their record spans multiple cases in different counties. Burnham Law’s Westminster record sealing attorneys handle petitions in both counties and pursue comprehensive sealing strategies that address every eligible record entry.
Meet our Westminster criminal defense team below — attorneys experienced in Colorado record sealing petitions in both Adams County and Jefferson County District Courts.
Jeremy Wooten, is a seasoned trial attorney who specializes in criminal defense and family law, leveraging a wealth of experience honed over five years at the Colorado State Public Defenders’ Office. Rising to Senior Deputy Public Defender, he successfully managed a diverse caseload, including serious charges like first-degree homicide, drug distribution, and economic crimes, always maintaining an unwavering commitment to client advocacy. Licensed in both Texas and Colorado, Jeremy's legal expertise is defined by strategic planning—meticulously crafting and executing well-thought-out trial strategies—and remarkable resourcefulness in finding innovative solutions to complex legal challenges in both the criminal and family law arenas. His practice is characterized by agile, client-centered advocacy, which relies on adaptability, active listening, and quick thinking essential for effective trial work. Jeremy prioritizes thoroughly understanding his clients' objectives and adapting his strategies dynamically to the evolving nature of trials. His resilience and strategic agility allow him to confidently navigate unexpected developments in the courtroom, ensuring each case is expertly...
Julian Rosielle has been licensed to practice law in Colorado since 2006. Julian is a graduate of the University of Colorado School of Law, where he was on the Dean’s List and an associate editor of the University of Colorado Law Review. Julian practiced exclusively in the area of criminal law for the first thirteen years of his career and has several notable case outcomes to include not guilty verdicts on charges of homicide and assault. Julian has extensive trial experience, ranging from Death Penalty cases to misdemeanor domestic violence to driving under the influence. Beginning in 2019, Julian’s practice has expanded to include domestic relations litigation and civil protection orders. Julian has lived in Colorado since 2004 and when not in Court enjoys hiking with his family and dogs.
Kate strives to have a client-oriented practice where she can assist her clients in all stages of litigation. Prior to joining Burnham, Kate was an associate at an AmLaw Firm where she worked on various types of complex litigation representing large corporations, municipalities, and individuals. Before going into private practice, Kate was an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County where she tried over twenty cases. Kate has been able to develop a well-rounded practice by working in both the private and public sectors. Kate has honed her skill sets from her prior experience so she can be a zealous advocate for her clients. In her spare time, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband in the outdoors, traveling, and visiting family.
Miguel C. Mondragon is a tenacious and dedicated attorney who is fiercely committed to his clients and their legal outcomes. Recognizing that clients facing divorce or criminal charges are often in their most vulnerable state, Miguel acts as a passionate advocate, ensuring they have a voice within the legal system. Growing up in southern Colorado, Miguel developed a strong work ethic by working in construction, lumber, and brickyards while attending college. Before becoming an attorney, his interest in law was sparked by his work within the Larimer County Corrections system. While attending the University of South Dakota School of Law, he gained valuable experience working with East River Legal Services, the Colorado State Public Defenders Office, and Samuelson Law. Upon graduation, Miguel honed his skills first as a solo practitioner, then at Weaver & Associates, P.C., before founding Mondragon Law, where he specialized in criminal defense and family law. He brings this deep experience and tenacity to his current role...
Record Sealing in Colorado
Colorado’s record sealing framework hides adult criminal records from public view — they no longer appear in standard background checks used by most employers, landlords, and licensing agencies. The record is not destroyed; law enforcement, courts, and certain government agencies retain access. True expungement (record destruction) is available primarily for juvenile records and certain civil infractions. For adult criminal records, sealing is the available and effective remedy.
Colorado’s sealing statutes were significantly expanded by House Bill 19-1275 and subsequent legislation. Arrests that did not result in conviction can generally be sealed immediately. Dismissed charges and acquittals can be sealed immediately. Successfully completed diversion agreements and deferred judgments can be sealed after applicable waiting periods. Convictions — depending on the offense type — can be sealed after waiting periods of one to ten years following completion of the sentence. Not all records are sealable: DUI and DWAI convictions remain permanently unsealable, as do certain other offense categories.
Westminster’s dual-county geography means that a comprehensive record sealing strategy for a Westminster resident may require filing petitions in both Adams County District Court and Jefferson County District Court — for cases from different incidents that happened to fall in different counties. We evaluate the full record, identify every eligible entry regardless of which county it was filed in, and pursue a coordinated petition strategy across both jurisdictions when multiple entries exist.
What Our Westminster Record Sealing Attorneys Handle
Arrests without conviction: Arrests that didn’t result in conviction — whether in Adams or Jefferson County — can typically be sealed immediately. These are often the highest-priority petitions, since an arrest record without conviction still affects background checks and employment and housing applications.
Diversion and deferred judgment records: Successfully completed diversion agreements and deferred judgments can typically be sealed after applicable waiting periods. We handle petitions in both Adams and Jefferson County District Courts and ensure all timing and procedural requirements are met.
Conviction records: Many Colorado misdemeanor and felony convictions are now sealable after waiting periods. We evaluate specific convictions under current Colorado law — whether from Adams County or Jefferson County cases — and handle the full petition process in the correct court.
Multi-county comprehensive evaluations: Westminster residents with records across both counties need attorneys who can identify and address every eligible entry across both jurisdictions. We evaluate the full record, identify everything sealable regardless of county, and develop a coordinated petition strategy.
Professional and employment-driven sealing: Westminster’s significant workforce in the north Denver tech corridor, healthcare facilities, and commercial sector creates specific employment and licensing motivations for record sealing that we address explicitly in petition presentations.
How Record Sealing Works in Westminster
Record sealing petitions for Westminster cases must be filed in the district court where the original case was heard — Adams County District Court for Adams County cases, Jefferson County District Court for Jefferson County cases. If a Westminster resident has cases in both counties, separate petitions must be filed in each. We coordinate this process and ensure all petitions are filed correctly and simultaneously where possible.
Once filed, the prosecution has an opportunity to object. The Adams County DA’s office and the Jefferson County DA’s office have somewhat different practices around sealing objections — both offices tend not to object for arrests without conviction and older, less serious cases, but their specific thresholds and processes differ. When an objection is filed, a hearing is scheduled and the court applies Colorado’s interest of justice balancing test. We present the petitioner’s case effectively in whichever county’s court is handling the petition.
After sealing orders are entered, notification must go to all relevant repositories — the court, the arresting agency, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and any other entities with the record. For Westminster residents with cases in both counties, this notification process spans both county systems. We follow through on all required notifications across both counties to ensure actual sealing everywhere the record appears.
Why Burnham Law for Record Sealing in Westminster
Dual-county petition capability. Westminster record sealing often requires petitions in both Adams and Jefferson County. We handle both county systems and coordinate the process across jurisdictions to ensure comprehensive sealing of every eligible record.
Current Colorado sealing law. Colorado’s sealing statutes continue to evolve, and many people who were not previously eligible are now eligible. We stay current on exactly what current law allows for specific offense types and dispositions in both county contexts.
Complete follow-through in both counties. Sealing orders must be followed by notifications to all relevant agencies. For cases spanning both Adams and Jefferson counties, we follow through on all required notifications across both systems.
Employment and licensing focus. Westminster’s workforce includes significant numbers of professionals in healthcare, technology, and commercial sectors where background checks and licensing board inquiries are standard. We approach record sealing with specific attention to the employment and licensing goals our clients are trying to achieve.
Frequently Asked Questions — Westminster Expungement and Record Sealing
Which county do I file a record sealing petition in for a Westminster case?
You file your record sealing petition in the district court of the county where your original criminal case was heard. If your Westminster case was in Adams County District Court, the petition goes there. If it was in Jefferson County District Court, it goes there. If you have cases in both counties, separate petitions are required in each. We handle petitions in both Adams and Jefferson County District Courts and coordinate multi-county sealing strategies for Westminster residents with records spanning both jurisdictions.
Can a DUI be sealed in Colorado?
No. DUI and DWAI convictions cannot be sealed under current Colorado law, regardless of how old the conviction is or the circumstances. This is the most significant limitation of Colorado’s record sealing framework and one of the strongest reasons to fight a DUI charge aggressively at the time of arrest. Once a DUI conviction is on your Colorado record, it remains there permanently — accessible to employers, landlords, licensing boards, and law enforcement without limitation.
What are Colorado’s waiting periods for sealing convictions?
Waiting periods run from completion of the sentence — including the end of probation or supervision. Petty offenses: 1 year. Class 2 and 3 misdemeanors: 2 years. Class 1 misdemeanors: 3 years. Level 4 drug felonies and certain other lower felony classes: 3 years. Higher felony classes: up to 10 years, with some serious offense types not sealable at all. The specific waiting period for any conviction requires analysis of the offense classification under current Colorado statutes.
Do I need separate petitions for Adams County and Jefferson County cases?
Yes — if you have separate criminal cases that were handled in different counties, you need separate sealing petitions in each county’s district court. A sealing order from Adams County District Court does not extend to Jefferson County cases, and vice versa. Many Westminster residents have records in both counties from different incidents over time. We evaluate the full record across both counties and file coordinated petitions in each court to achieve comprehensive sealing of every eligible entry.
Will a sealed record show up on a background check?
A properly sealed Colorado criminal record should not appear in standard commercial background checks used by most employers and landlords. However, sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and certain government licensing agencies. Federal background check processes — including those for federal employment, security clearances, and professional licensing in federally regulated fields — may access sealed records. The practical benefit of sealing is significant for most civilian employment and housing purposes, though it is not a complete shield in every context.
Schedule a Consultation with a Westminster Record Sealing Lawyer
If a criminal record is limiting your employment or housing opportunities in Westminster, Colorado’s expanded sealing statutes may offer more relief than you realize — including for cases in both Adams and Jefferson counties. Burnham Law’s Westminster attorneys will evaluate your complete record across both counties and tell you exactly what can be sealed.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. We handle record sealing petitions in both Adams County and Jefferson County District Courts.
