Expungement
In one sentence
A legal process that erases or seals a criminal conviction from your record.
Plain English
Expungement allows you to have a criminal conviction removed from your official record, as if it never happened. Once expunged, you can legally say you were never convicted of that crime in most situations. Not all convictions qualify—eligibility depends on the crime, how much time has passed, and your state's laws. This gives people a fresh start and removes barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities.
Example
After serving his sentence for a drug possession charge five years ago, Marcus applied to have his conviction expunged. The court approved it, and now when he applies for jobs, he can honestly answer 'no' when asked if he has a criminal record.
Used in a sentence
“She was relieved when the judge granted her expungement petition and cleared her record.”
How Expungement differs by state
Expungement can apply differently depending on the state. Click a state to see local specifics.
Alabama
Alabama allows expungement for first-time offenders and certain non-violent crimes after a waiting period.
Alaska
Alaska allows expungement of arrests and convictions under specific conditions, including automatic sealing for some cases.
Arizona
Arizona allows set-aside of convictions after probation completion, effectively removing the conviction from your record.
Arkansas
Arkansas allows expungement of arrests and convictions under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-93-1301, with varying timelines by offense.
California
California allows dismissal under Penal Code § 1203.4 after probation completion, or under § 17(b) for wobbler offenses.
Colorado
Colorado allows expungement of most felonies and misdemeanors after a waiting period, with some crimes permanently ineligible.
Connecticut
Connecticut erases most misdemeanors and felonies automatically after a statutory waiting period without requiring a petition.
Delaware
Delaware allows expungement of most convictions after a waiting period, with violent and sexual offenses generally excluded.
Florida
Florida allows expungement or sealing of records for most offenses, but timing and eligibility depend heavily on whether the case ended in conviction or dismissal.
Georgia
Georgia allows expungement of arrests not resulting in conviction immediately, but conviction expungement requires a waiting period and is limited.
Hawaii
Hawaii allows expungement of most convictions after a waiting period, but some felonies require longer delays.
Idaho
Idaho allows expungement of misdemeanors and some felonies, but timing depends heavily on offense type and sentence outcome.
Illinois
Illinois offers expungement for arrests not leading to conviction and certain convictions after a waiting period, with recent reforms expanding eligibility.
Indiana
Indiana allows expungement of arrests and convictions, with timing and eligibility varying significantly by offense class and outcome.
Iowa
Iowa allows expungement of arrests and convictions, with waiting periods and eligibility determined by offense severity and sentence completion.
Kansas
Kansas allows expungement of most felonies and misdemeanors after a waiting period, with no conviction showing on background checks.
Kentucky
Kentucky allows expungement of certain convictions after a waiting period, but violent felonies and sex offenses face stricter restrictions.
Louisiana
Louisiana uses "nolo contendere" plea expungement and conviction expungement, with waiting periods varying significantly by offense.
Maine
Maine allows expungement of arrests and convictions under a relatively permissive standard, with shorter waiting periods than many states.
Maryland
Maryland allows expungement of certain convictions and all acquittals/dismissals, with waiting periods of 3 to 15 years depending on offense.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts allows expungement only for certain misdemeanors and minor offenses, not felonies.
Michigan
Michigan allows one felony and unlimited misdemeanor expungements after a waiting period.
Minnesota
Minnesota allows expungement for dismissed charges and certain convictions after a waiting period.
Mississippi
Mississippi allows expungement for certain non-violent offenses and dismissed charges.
Missouri
Missouri allows expungement of certain offenses after a waiting period, with broader access for first-time offenders.
Montana
Montana allows expungement of most felonies and misdemeanors after a waiting period, with no conviction showing on public records.
Nebraska
Nebraska allows expungement of most convictions after a waiting period, but records remain available to law enforcement and certain agencies.
Nevada
Nevada allows expungement of most convictions immediately upon completion of sentence, with records sealed from public view.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire allows expungement of most convictions after a waiting period, with sealed records unavailable to the general public.
New Jersey
New Jersey allows expungement of most convictions after a waiting period, with records sealed but accessible to law enforcement and certain agencies.
New Mexico
New Mexico allows expungement of most felonies and misdemeanors after a waiting period, with no conviction required for some offenses.
New York
New York seals rather than expunges most records; eligible convictions are removed from public view but law enforcement retains access.
North Carolina
North Carolina allows expungement of dismissals and acquittals immediately, but felony convictions require a 15-year waiting period.
North Dakota
North Dakota allows expungement of dismissed charges and acquittals immediately, with limited options for conviction records.
Ohio
Ohio allows expungement of most misdemeanors and some felonies after a waiting period; certain violent offenses are ineligible.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma allows expungement of most felonies and misdemeanors after a waiting period, with some crimes permanently ineligible.
Oregon
Oregon allows expungement of most convictions after a waiting period, with shorter timelines for misdemeanors than felonies.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania allows expungement of summary convictions after five years and certain felonies under specific circumstances, with limited general eligibility.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island allows expungement of misdemeanors after five years and felonies after ten years, with some violent crimes permanently ineligible.
South Carolina
South Carolina allows expungement of certain convictions after waiting periods, with violent crimes and sex offenses generally ineligible.
South Dakota
South Dakota allows expungement of most misdemeanors and some felonies after a waiting period, with no conviction record erasure for violent crimes.
Tennessee
Tennessee allows expungement of arrests that didn't result in conviction and certain misdemeanors after a waiting period.
Texas
Texas allows expungement of dismissed charges and certain low-level offenses, with immediate eligibility for acquittals and deferred adjudications.
Utah
Utah allows expungement of arrests not resulting in conviction and certain convictions after a waiting period based on offense severity.
Vermont
Vermont allows expungement of certain misdemeanors and felonies after a waiting period, with broader access than many states.
Virginia
Virginia allows expungement for dismissed charges, acquittals, and certain convictions after a waiting period.
Washington
Washington allows automatic vacation of certain convictions and permits petitions for others based on offense type and time elapsed.
West Virginia
West Virginia permits expungement of dismissed charges and acquittals; conviction expungement is limited and requires a petition.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin allows expungement of dismissed charges and certain convictions; some offenses require a waiting period before petitioning.
Wyoming
Wyoming allows expungement of dismissed charges and acquittals; conviction expungement is available but limited and discretionary.
District of Columbia
DC allows expungement of arrests, convictions, and guilty pleas after waiting periods that vary by offense severity.
Related terms
Sentencing
The judge's decision on punishment after a defendant is found guilty.
habitual offender
A person with multiple prior criminal convictions who faces enhanced penalties for new crimes under habitual offender laws.
criminal intent
The mental state or purpose required to commit a crime.
Restitution Damages
Compensation that returns to you the value of a benefit the other party received from you.
Mistrial
A trial that is declared invalid and must be restarted.
challenge for cause
A request to remove a juror based on bias or inability to be impartial.
Stand Your Ground
A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.
Castle Doctrine
A law stating that a person's home is their castle and they can use force to defend it without duty to retreat.
This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.