Expungement
Clearing an old arrest, charge or conviction
Expungement asks a court to erase a record from public view: the arrest, the charge, and in some places the conviction itself. We find out which of yours can go, file the petition and get you ready for the hearing if there is one.
What we check first
How the case ended
How long ago it happened
Whether anything else is still open
What the court wants before it will hear a petition
Which records
What can often be cleared
The rules differ from state to state and change over time. This is the shape of it, and we confirm each one against the law as it stands today.
Arrests with no charge
You were arrested and nothing was filed, or the case never went forward. These are often the easiest to clear.
Dismissed and withdrawn charges
The case ended without a conviction. The record can still show up on a check until it is cleared.
Some misdemeanors
After a waiting period, and when nothing new has happened, many places allow lower-level convictions to be cleared.
Some older convictions
A few places allow more serious cases after a longer wait. We tell you early if yours is not eligible.
Expungement
Clearing a record: what people wonder
Is expungement the same as sealing?
They are close cousins. Expungement erases or destroys the record. Sealing hides it from the public. Which one you can get depends on your state, and sometimes both are open. We explain the difference for your case.
Does the court contact my employer?
No. The petition is about the record, not about your job. Most employers never hear about it.
Can I say I have no record after it is cleared?
In many places you can answer no to most questions about arrests or convictions. A few jobs, such as some licenses and law enforcement, still ask. We tell you how to answer before you fill anything in.
Find out what yours can do.
Call or walk in. We'll pull your record and tell you what can be cleared.