When Can a Crime be Expunged

DIFFERENT TIMES FOR DIFFERENT CRIMES

You might wait several years before a crime can be expunged. The nature and severity of your crime will determine when you will qualify for an expungement hearing.

If trying to set aside multiple felonies you have to wait 7 years from the end of jail time or probation on the latest felony (whichever occurs last). If trying to set aside 1 or more serious misdemeanors or 1 felony you have to wait 5 years from the end of jail or probation on the latest misdemeanor (whichever occurs last). If trying to set aside 1 or more misdemeanors you have to wait 3 years from the end of jail or probation on the latest misdemeanor (whichever occurs last). There are many intricacies to the rules, but these are the basics.

Expungement can happen and your life can return to normal however you may have to wait many years and be a crime-free citizen in the years after your conviction. Expungement is not for career criminals looking for an easy way out. It's to help the remorseful honest persons that made one or only a few big mistakes in life and have moved on to the life they had before they were convicted of a crime.