In relation to expungement, what condition must be fully satisfied before an application can be made in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, a vital condition for an individual to apply for expungement is the completion of their sentence. This encompasses not only the prison time but also any parole or probation requirements that may have been imposed. The rationale behind this requirement is to ensure that the individual has fully completed their rehabilitation as mandated by the court before seeking to have their criminal record cleared. This process is designed to demonstrate to the legal system that the individual has fulfilled their obligations and can be considered for a fresh start without the shadow of their past offenses lingering in public records.

Other conditions, while they may feel relevant, do not serve as prerequisites for applying for expungement in New Jersey. For instance, completing all therapy may be beneficial for personal rehabilitation but is not a statutory requirement for expungement. Similarly, although remaining on probation for five years might indicate a long period of supervision, it does not replace the essential requirement of completing the entire sentence. Lastly, while the payment of fines is a crucial part of some sentences, it is not a standalone condition that needs to be satisfied before an expungement application can be made. Thus, the completion of the entire sentence stands as the correct prerequisite for an expungement application in New Jersey.