Clearing a criminal record in Louisiana
In Louisiana it is called expungement: an expunged arrest or conviction is removed from public access and becomes confidential; it is not destroyed. Some misdemeanor and felony convictions may be cleared, but Louisiana does not clear records automatically: you ask for it.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026. · Free letter and checklist ↓
Can my record be cleared in Louisiana?
Expungement — In Louisiana, an expunged arrest or conviction is removed from public access and becomes confidential; it is not destroyed. Police, prosecutors, courts and some licensing boards can still see it, and it can still be used if you are charged with a new crime.
Louisiana has 4 ways to clear a record. Each covers different records and has its own waiting period.
Motion to expunge an arrest that did not result in a conviction (La. C.Cr.P. art. 976)
Felony or misdemeanor arrests where you were not prosecuted and the time to prosecute has run out, the district attorney declined to prosecute (including after pretrial diversion), the case was dismissed or quashed, or you were acquitted; also people found factually innocent.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Dismissal, acquittal, refusal to prosecute | No waiting period You can file once the case is over; there is no extra waiting period. | The end of the case |
DWI arrest with pretrial diversion | 5 years If you were placed in pretrial diversion for a DWI arrest, you must wait 5 years from the arrest. | The date of arrest |
- Not eligible
- You cannot file while serving a hard-labor sentence in state custody.
Law: La. C.Cr.P. arts. 975, 976, 978.1, 979, 983; art. 975
Source: Official text
Motion to expunge a misdemeanor arrest and conviction (La. C.Cr.P. art. 977)
Misdemeanor convictions, including convictions set aside after a deferred sentence under art. 894(B).
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Misdemeanor set aside and dismissed under art. 894(B) | No waiting period You can file once the court sets aside the conviction and dismisses the prosecution. | The set-aside and dismissal |
Misdemeanor conviction | 5 years More than 5 years must pass after you finish your sentence, with no felony conviction in that time and no felony charge pending. | Completion of any sentence, deferred adjudication, probation or parole |
First-offense marijuana / THC possession misdemeanor | See the rule You can file 90 days after the conviction. | The date of conviction |
- Not eligible
- Misdemeanors arising from a sex-offense arrest; domestic abuse battery; stalking.
Law: La. C.Cr.P. arts. 977, 983, 984
Source: Official text
Motion to expunge a felony arrest and conviction (La. C.Cr.P. art. 978)
Felony convictions set aside after a deferred sentence under art. 893(E); other felonies after 10 crime-free years; felonies eligible for a first offender pardon (non-violent, non-sex); certain listed violent felonies after a hearing.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Felony set aside and dismissed under art. 893(E) | No waiting period You can file once the conviction is set aside and the case dismissed. | The set-aside and dismissal |
Felony conviction | 10 years More than 10 years must pass after you finish your sentence, with no other conviction in that time and no charge pending. | Completion of any sentence, deferred adjudication, probation or parole |
Aggravated battery, second degree battery, aggravated criminal damage, simple robbery, purse snatching, illegal use of weapons | 10 years After 10 crime-free years, the court may expunge these violent offenses after a contradictory hearing. | Completion of any sentence, deferred adjudication, probation or parole |
- Not eligible
- Other crimes of violence; sex offenses and offenses against a minor victim; domestic abuse battery; drug law violations except simple possession, possession with intent to distribute, drug offenses punishable by 5 years or less, and drug convictions set aside under art. 893(E) or eligible for a first offender pardon.
- Limits
- More than one felony can be expunged in a 10-year period if each one qualifies.
Law: La. C.Cr.P. arts. 978, 978.1, 983; R.S. 14:2(B); art. 978(F)
Source: Official text
Immediate expungement after probation or alternative sentencing (La. C.Cr.P. art. 985.3)
The arrest and conviction that led to court-ordered probation or an alternative sentencing program, for people otherwise eligible for expungement.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Successful completion of court-ordered probation or program | No waiting period The judge may order the record expunged right away when you finish probation or the program. | Successful completion |
Law: La. C.Cr.P. art. 985.3
Source: Official text
When can I file? Waiting periods in Louisiana
Pick your kind of case and the date the waiting period runs from. We add the waiting period from the law; nothing else.
How to file in Louisiana
Motion to expunge an arrest that did not result in a conviction (La. C.Cr.P. art. 976)
File a motion to expunge with the clerk of the district court where you were arrested or charged, and serve the district attorney, the arresting agency and the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification; attach a recent background check, DA certification letter, court minutes and the charging document. The DA, arresting agency or State Police can object and ask for a contradictory hearing.
- Cost
- Up to $550 in total: State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification $250, sheriff $50, district attorney $50, clerk up to $200. No fees if the DA certifies you have no felony convictions or pending felony charges and you were acquitted, or were never prosecuted in time, or the case was dismissed/declined without diversion (with DA consent).
- If you can't pay
- You may proceed in forma pauperis under Code of Civil Procedure art. 5181; use the Certification of Fee Waiver form from the DA for the no-fee categories.
Law: art. 983; art. 983(F); art. 983(L); art. 988
Motion to expunge a misdemeanor arrest and conviction (La. C.Cr.P. art. 977)
File the motion with a district attorney certification that you have no felony convictions in the 5-year period and no pending felony charges, and serve it under art. 979. The prosecutor or agencies may object and request a contradictory hearing.
- Cost
- Up to $550 in total; only one fee if several offenses come from the same arrest. For a first-offense marijuana possession misdemeanor the total is capped at $300. DWI expungements add a $50 Office of Motor Vehicles cost.
- If you can't pay
- In forma pauperis under Code of Civil Procedure art. 5181. Human trafficking victims pay no fees.
Law: art. 983(A)-(B); art. 983(K); art. 983(M); art. 984; art. 983(L); art. 983(H)(5)
Motion to expunge a felony arrest and conviction (La. C.Cr.P. art. 978)
File the motion with a district attorney certification of no convictions in the 10-year period and no pending charges, plus the documents required by art. 978.1, and serve the DA, arresting agency and State Police. The listed violent offenses always require a contradictory hearing.
- Cost
- Up to $550 in total; one fee for several offenses from the same arrest. People granted a pardon (other than an automatic first offender pardon) pay no processing fees.
- If you can't pay
- In forma pauperis under Code of Civil Procedure art. 5181.
Law: art. 983; art. 983(J); art. 983(L)
Immediate expungement after probation or alternative sentencing (La. C.Cr.P. art. 985.3)
The court uses the form in art. 992; the order is served with the bill of information, sentencing minutes and related records.
Court self-help
Free help in Louisiana
- Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (helps with criminal record expungements)
- Find free legal aid at LawHelp.org
National help
Free letter and checklist
Letter: ask for a copy of your own record
A request to the state records office (Louisiana State Police, Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information) with your name, date of birth and mailing address.
Checklist: what to gather before you file
Case numbers, court papers, proof you finished your sentence, forms and fees for Louisiana.
Clearing a record in Louisiana by topic
Motion to expunge an arrest that did not result in a conviction (La. C.Cr.P. art. 976) in Louisiana
Which records each remedy covers, who is not eligible and what changes afterwards.
Waiting periods in Louisiana
How long you wait for each kind of case, and a date helper.
How to file in Louisiana
The steps, the cost, fee waivers, the forms and court self-help.
Automatic relief in Louisiana
Louisiana does not clear records automatically. To clear a record, you ask for it.
The law tells the State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information to identify records with final dispositions that qualify under arts. 976-978. Beginning January 1, 2025, you may submit a short request (name, date of birth, last 4 digits of your SSN, arrest date, case number); within 30 days the Bureau is to expunge eligible records, and the courts and clerks then mark them expunged. It covers district court records back to January 1, 2006 and only works if the state funds it. As of October 2026, the State Police expungement page describes only the regular court process (motion filed with the clerk, $250 State Police fee), so plan to file a motion if you need the record cleared now. Nothing is expunged without a request or motion.
Law: La. C.Cr.P. art. 985.2
Marijuana records in Louisiana
You can file to expunge a first-offense misdemeanor conviction for possession of marijuana or THC 90 days after the conviction, and the total cost is capped at $300.
Law: La. C.Cr.P. arts. 977(D), 983(M)
Juvenile records in Louisiana
Juvenile records that did not lead to adjudication can be expunged and sealed at any time; most adjudications can be expunged once the juvenile court's jurisdiction ends, if you have no adult felony conviction or firearm misdemeanor and nothing pending. For murder, manslaughter, registrable sex offenses, kidnapping and armed robbery you must also wait 5 years. La. Ch.C. arts. 917-922.
Pardons in Louisiana
- Who decides
- The Governor, on recommendation of the Board of Pardons & Committee on Parole
- How
- Submit the Application for Pardon Consideration (digital or print) to the Board. A $200 non-refundable fee is charged when the pre-clemency investigation is assigned. The Board holds public hearings about monthly and sends recommendations to the Governor. First-time non-violent felony offenders may qualify for a first offender pardon, which also makes the conviction expungeable.
Law: La. Const. art. IV, sec. 5; La. C.Cr.P. art. 978(A)(3); La. Const. art. IV, sec. 5(E)(1)
After your record is cleared in Louisiana
An expunged record is confidential and not a public record. You do not have to tell anyone (other than law enforcement and the agencies listed in the law) that you were arrested or convicted or that the record was expunged. Exceptions: law enforcement and prosecutors; certain licensing boards (medical, nursing, dental, pharmacy, social work, counselors, insurance, financial institutions, bar admission) on a confidential basis; and use as a prior offense if you are charged again. La. C.Cr.P. art. 973.
Get your own record in Louisiana
Louisiana State Police, Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
Request a fingerprint-based 'Right to Review' (your certified Louisiana criminal history, La. R.S. 15:588) through the Louisiana Applicant Processing System: schedule a fingerprint appointment online, pay at the appointment, and get the report by mail or email. The State Police recommends this before filing an expungement. Art. 978.1 requires a State Police or sheriff's background check dated within 60 days of filing.
Letter: ask the state records office for a copy of your record
Good to know in Louisiana
- Total cost for most expungements is capped at $550, but many dismissals and acquittals are free with a DA certification.
Law: La. C.Cr.P. art. 983
- A 2023 law lets you ask the State Police to expunge eligible records without going to court starting January 1, 2025, but only if funded; the State Police site does not yet describe this request process.
Law: art. 985.2
- First-offense marijuana possession can be expunged 90 days after conviction for no more than $300 (arts. 977(D), 983(M)).
- If you were arrested at age 17 and the case was declined, dismissed or ended in acquittal, you can get a free expedited expungement of the arrest.
Law: La. C.Cr.P. art. 999, Acts 2024
Changes in 2024–2026
Acts 2024, No. 560 created immediate expungement after court-ordered probation or alternative sentencing. Acts 2024, No. 270 created free expedited expungement of arrests of 17-year-olds whose cases were declined, dismissed or acquitted. Acts 2024, No. 580 amended felony expungement. Acts 2026, No. 129 added art. 978.1, listing documents that must be sent to the State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification with an expungement motion: a State Police or sheriff's background check dated within 60 days, a district attorney certification letter, court minutes showing the final disposition (or a disposition report or clerk's no-record letter), and the charging document. The automated request process was allowed to start January 1, 2025, subject to funding.
Law: art. 985.3; art. 999; art. 978
Questions about clearing a record in Louisiana
What is clearing a record called in Louisiana?
Expungement. In Louisiana, an expunged arrest or conviction is removed from public access and becomes confidential; it is not destroyed. Police, prosecutors, courts and some licensing boards can still see it, and it can still be used if you are charged with a new crime.
Can convictions be cleared in Louisiana?
Motion to expunge an arrest that did not result in a conviction: Felony or misdemeanor arrests where you were not prosecuted and the time to prosecute has run out, the district attorney declined to prosecute (including after pretrial diversion), the case was dismissed or quashed, or you were acquitted; also people found factually innocent. Motion to expunge a misdemeanor arrest and conviction: Misdemeanor convictions, including convictions set aside after a deferred sentence under art. 894(B). Motion to expunge a felony arrest and conviction: Felony convictions set aside after a deferred sentence under art. 893(E); other felonies after 10 crime-free years; felonies eligible for a first offender pardon (non-violent, non-sex); certain listed violent felonies after a hearing. Immediate expungement after probation or alternative sentencing: The arrest and conviction that led to court-ordered probation or an alternative sentencing program, for people otherwise eligible for expungement.
How long do I have to wait in Louisiana?
Dismissal, acquittal, refusal to prosecute: No waiting period, counted from the end of the case; DWI arrest with pretrial diversion: 5 years, counted from the date of arrest; Misdemeanor set aside and dismissed under art. 894(B): No waiting period, counted from the set-aside and dismissal; Misdemeanor conviction: 5 years, counted from completion of any sentence, deferred adjudication, probation or parole.
Does Louisiana clear records automatically?
Louisiana does not clear records automatically. To clear a record, you ask for it.
How much does it cost to clear a record in Louisiana?
Motion to expunge an arrest that did not result in a conviction: Up to $550 in total: State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification $250, sheriff $50, district attorney $50, clerk up to $200. No fees if the DA certifies you have no felony convictions or pending felony charges and you were acquitted, or were never prosecuted in time, or the case was dismissed/declined without diversion (with DA consent). Motion to expunge a misdemeanor arrest and conviction: Up to $550 in total; only one fee if several offenses come from the same arrest. For a first-offense marijuana possession misdemeanor the total is capped at $300. DWI expungements add a $50 Office of Motor Vehicles cost. Motion to expunge a felony arrest and conviction: Up to $550 in total; one fee for several offenses from the same arrest. People granted a pardon (other than an automatic first offender pardon) pay no processing fees.
Can a marijuana record be cleared in Louisiana?
You can file to expunge a first-offense misdemeanor conviction for possession of marijuana or THC 90 days after the conviction, and the total cost is capped at $300.
Can juvenile records be cleared in Louisiana?
Juvenile records that did not lead to adjudication can be expunged and sealed at any time; most adjudications can be expunged once the juvenile court's jurisdiction ends, if you have no adult felony conviction or firearm misdemeanor and nothing pending. For murder, manslaughter, registrable sex offenses, kidnapping and armed robbery you must also wait 5 years. La. Ch.C. arts. 917-922.
What can I say after my record is cleared in Louisiana?
An expunged record is confidential and not a public record. You do not have to tell anyone (other than law enforcement and the agencies listed in the law) that you were arrested or convicted or that the record was expunged. Exceptions: law enforcement and prosecutors; certain licensing boards (medical, nursing, dental, pharmacy, social work, counselors, insurance, financial institutions, bar admission) on a confidential basis; and use as a prior offense if you are charged again. La. C.Cr.P. art. 973.
How do I get a copy of my criminal record in Louisiana?
Request a fingerprint-based 'Right to Review' (your certified Louisiana criminal history, La. R.S. 15:588) through the Louisiana Applicant Processing System: schedule a fingerprint appointment online, pay at the appointment, and get the report by mail or email. The State Police recommends this before filing an expungement. Art. 978.1 requires a State Police or sheriff's background check dated within 60 days of filing.
Where can I get free help in Louisiana?
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (helps with criminal record expungements).