In this video, our Cook County expungement attorneys explain how expungement is the process of having your criminal records physically destroyed or returned to you and of removing the record from public view. On the other hand, if your records are sealed, they are not physically destroyed. However, sealed records are not obtainable without a court order and are removed from public view. Neither expunged or sealed records are visible in criminal checks. Employers may not consider expunged or sealed records in determining employment and may not ask an applicant if he or she has had records expunged or sealed.