Having criminal records expunged brings tremendous benefits. The most important benefit is that the previous criminal arrest or conviction can be treated as if it never existed, under most circumstances. You can complete an employment application for a non-law enforcement job with the answer "no" to any question regarding whether you have been previously arrested or convicted.

Expungements give the person the legal right to state, even under oath, that the event never occurred. All civil disabilities associated with the conviction are eliminated. However, expunged records must still be recited in certain situations. These situations include applications for employment with a law enforcement agency, applications for employment in the judicial system, and applications for a subsequent expungement. Additionally, immigration authorities will expect you to reveal information regarding expunged records. If you enter the United States through any border crossing or airport, the ICE officials at the airport will still be able to see your previously expunged criminal record in their computer database. Imigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the agency that can most commonly sees all of your previously expunged information.