Expungement (Erasing an Arrest or Conviction)

Welcome to the "Expungement" section of FindLaw's Criminal Law Center. Expungement is a legal process through which an arrest or conviction may be erased from a person's criminal record. Below you will find links to in-depth information on expungement, and state-specific resources on expungement and criminal records (where available). To begin, please select one of the following:

• Expungement Basics - Introductory information on expungement and its legal effects.
  
  
• Eligibility for Expungement - An arrest or conviction usually must meet certain standards in order to qualify for expungement.
  
  
• The Expungement Process - A number of steps must be taken before an expungement is granted.
  
  
• Expungement is Not Always an Option - Expungement is not available in all jurisdictions, and may not be an option for certain arrests or convictions.
  
  
• State-Specific Information: Expungement and Criminal Records - Links to information in your state (where available).
  
  
• Expungement: Get Help Now - Finding an attorney to advise and assist you is a key first step.

You can access the topics in the Expungement section via the links in the navigation bar at the top of the page. Also, be sure to use the "Browse" box on the left side of every page, as it contains links to additional information for each topic.