Yes and no. In most contexts, if your criminal record is expunged, you can act as if it never happened. N.J.S.A. § 2C:52-27 states that:  “Unless otherwise provided by law, if an order of expungement is granted, the arrest, conviction and any proceedings related thereto shall be deemed not to have occurred, and the petitioner may answer any questions relating to their occurrence accordingly, except as follows:     a.  The fact of an expungement, sealing or similar relief shall be disclosed as provided in section 2C:52-8b.     b.  The fact of an expungement of prior charges which were dismissed because  of the person's acceptance into and successful completion of a supervisory treatment or other diversion program shall be disclosed by said person to any judge who is determining the propriety of accepting said person into a supervisory treatment or other diversion program for subsequent criminal charges;  and     c.  Information divulged on expunged records shall be revealed by a petitioner seeking employment within the judicial branch or with a law enforcement or corrections agency and such information shall continue to provide a disability as otherwise provided by law.” In plain English, this means unless there is another law requiring disclosure, you can state you have never been arrested, convicted or gone through any criminal proceeding. However, three exceptions exist when you are trying to: 1. Get another criminal conviction expunged. 2. Enter into a supervisory treatment or diversionary program. 3. Get a job in law enforcement, the court system or corrections.