Expungement of non-conviction and other favorable dispositions (§ 10-105) in Maryland: which records can be cleared
Each way to clear a record in Maryland, what it covers, the exclusions and the effect.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
In Maryland it is called expungement or shielding: expungement removes the case from public inspection. Some misdemeanor and felony convictions may be cleared, and Maryland also clears some records automatically.
- Main remedy
- Expungement of non-conviction and other favorable dispositions (§ 10-105)
- What it covers
- Acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi, stet, probation before judgment (PBJ), compromise, transfer to juvenile court, not criminally responsible for certain nuisance offenses; also a pardoned single non-violent conviction, convictions for listed public-nuisance offenses, conduct that is no longer a crime, cannabis possession, and convictions vacated for human-trafficking victims.
- Ways to clear a record
- 3
- Automatic relief
- Yes
What each remedy covers in Maryland
Expungement; shielding — Expungement removes the case from public inspection: records are destroyed or moved to a secure area that people without a legitimate reason cannot see, and it disappears from Case Search. Shielding (Second Chance Act) only hides certain minor convictions from the public; police, courts and some employers and licensing boards can still see them.
Maryland has 3 ways to clear a record. Each covers different records and has its own waiting period.
Expungement of non-conviction and other favorable dispositions (§ 10-105)
Acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi, stet, probation before judgment (PBJ), compromise, transfer to juvenile court, not criminally responsible for certain nuisance offenses; also a pardoned single non-violent conviction, convictions for listed public-nuisance offenses, conduct that is no longer a crime, cannabis possession, and convictions vacated for human-trafficking victims.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Acquittal, dismissal or nolle prosequi | 3 years You may file 3 years after the disposition, or right away if you also file a General Waiver and Release of any legal claims against the police over the arrest. | Disposition |
Probation before judgment (PBJ) | 3 years You may file after you are discharged from probation or 3 years after the PBJ, whichever is later. A new conviction within 3 years after the PBJ blocks expungement. | The later of discharge from probation or 3 years after PBJ was granted |
PBJ for DUI/DWI (Transportation § 21-902(a) or (b)) | 15 years You must wait 15 years after you are discharged from probation. | Discharge from probation |
Stet or compromise | 3 years You may file 3 years after the case was marked stet or compromised. | The stet or compromise |
Listed public-nuisance conviction (e.g. loitering, panhandling, public drinking, fare evasion) | 3 years You may file 3 years after you complete the sentence. | Completion of the sentence |
Cannabis possession conviction (§ 5-601) | No waiting period You may file as soon as you complete the sentence. | Completion of the sentence |
Governor's full pardon of one non-violent conviction | See the rule You must file no later than 10 years after the Governor signed the pardon. | The pardon |
- Not eligible
- PBJ for certain DUI-related offenses under § 21-902(c), (d), (h) or (i), or for offenses under Criminal Law Title 2, Subtitle 5 or § 3-211; anyone with a pending criminal case; the 'unit rule' — if one charge from the same incident cannot be expunged, none of them can (minor traffic and cannabis possession charges do not count).
Law: Md. Code, Criminal Procedure §§ 10-105, 10-107
Source: Official text
Expungement of convictions (§ 10-110)
Convictions for a long list of misdemeanors named in the statute (for example theft, second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, many drug possession offenses, trespass, bad checks, driving without a license), plus these felonies: felony theft, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, and first-, second- and third-degree burglary; also attempts, conspiracies and solicitations of these. From October 1, 2026, you may also petition under § 10-110 for a listed offense in a case the court closed with a 'no finding' designation or marked 'terminated without finding'.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Listed misdemeanor | 5 years You may file 5 years after you complete your sentence, including probation or parole. | Completion of the sentence (including probation, parole or mandatory supervision) |
Second-degree assault (§ 3-203) or common-law battery | 7 years You must wait 7 years after you complete your sentence. | Completion of the sentence |
Listed felony (general) | 7 years Most eligible felonies need 7 years after you complete your sentence. | Completion of the sentence |
First- or second-degree burglary, or felony theft | 10 years You must wait 10 years after you complete your sentence. | Completion of the sentence |
Possession with intent to distribute cannabis | 3 years You may file 3 years after you complete your sentence. | Completion of the sentence |
Domestically related crime (§ 6-233 finding) | 15 years You must wait 15 years after you complete your sentence. | Completion of the sentence |
- Not eligible
- Any offense not on the § 10-110 list; a new conviction during the waiting period (unless that one also becomes eligible); a pending criminal case; the 'unit rule' (all convictions from the same incident must be eligible).
Law: Md. Code, Criminal Procedure § 10-110 (as amended by the Expungement Reform Act of 2025, ch. 95); § 6-202(a), 6-203, 6-204
Source: Official text
Shielding (Maryland Second Chance Act)
Convictions for: disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, failure to obey a lawful order, lesser malicious destruction of property, trespass on posted property, drug possession (CDS or non-controlled substance), paraphernalia, driving without a license, driving while suspended or revoked, driving uninsured, and prostitution.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Shieldable conviction | 3 years You may file 3 years after you finish your whole sentence. | Satisfying the sentence, including parole, probation or mandatory supervision |
- Not eligible
- Domestically related crimes; a new conviction during the 3-year wait; a pending criminal case; a unit that includes a non-shieldable conviction.
- Limits
- Only one shielding petition in your lifetime; one court (circuit or District) in one county; include all eligible convictions on that one petition.
Law: Md. Code, Criminal Procedure §§ 10-301 to 10-305
Source: Official text
Marijuana records in Maryland
A conviction for cannabis possession can be expunged by petition as soon as the sentence is complete; possession with intent to distribute cannabis needs 3 years after the sentence (Criminal Procedure §§ 10-105(a)(12), (c)(8); 10-110(c)(5); form CC-DC-CR-072D). Case Search may not show cases where cannabis possession was the only charge and was disposed of before July 1, 2023, and since January 31, 2026 it may not show cannabis possession convictions later pardoned by the Governor.
Law: § 5-601; § 10-111; Criminal Procedure § 10-401(b), ch. 95 of 2025
What you can say afterwards
Employers, schools and state licensing agencies may not require you to disclose expunged charges, and refusing to disclose them cannot be the sole reason to refuse to hire you or deny a license; a violation is a misdemeanor. Shielded records stay visible to police, courts, and employers or licensing boards that are legally required to check criminal backgrounds.
Law: Criminal Procedure §§ 10-109, 10-302
Automatic relief in Maryland
- Law
- Automatic expungement of non-conviction cases
- What is cleared
- If every charge in a case ended in acquittal, dismissal, not guilty or nolle prosequi (not nolle prosequi with required treatment), the court expunges the case automatically 3 years after the disposition. Traffic cases are not included. You can ask for earlier expungement with form CC-DC-CR-072C. Convictions are not cleared automatically.
- Started
- Dispositions on or after October 1, 2021
- Check your record
- Official status page
Law: Md. Code, Criminal Procedure § 10-105.1
Records from when you were under 18
You may petition the court where the juvenile case was filed to expunge it once you are 18 and 2 years have passed since the last action, if you were adjudicated delinquent no more than once, have no later conviction, and the offense was not a felony or crime of violence; there is no filing fee.
Law: Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 3-8A-27.1
Pardons in Maryland
- Who decides
- The Governor, through the Maryland Parole Commission
- How
- Send the Application for Pardon with certified ('True Copy, Test') docket entries for each Maryland conviction and the documents on the Pardon Application Checklist to the Maryland Parole Commission, 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 302, Baltimore, MD 21215. A pardon does not expunge the record, but a pardon of one non-violent conviction lets you petition for expungement within 10 years. Questions: 410-585-3200.
Law: Md. Code, Correctional Services § 7-601; Criminal Procedure § 10-105(a)(8)
In nearby states
- District of Columbia: Record sealing and expungement
- Delaware: Expungement (mandatory and discretionary)
- New Jersey: Expungement
- Pennsylvania: Expungement; limited access (including Clean Slate automatic limited access)
Your next steps in Maryland
Get your own record
Your record lists each case; you need it to see which remedy fits. Maryland Judiciary — Expungement (Adult) and Maryland Judiciary — Shielding Criminal Records.
Count the waiting period
Each kind of case has its own waiting period. Waiting periods.
Start the case
The court decides each request. How to file.
Talk to legal aid
Free help: Maryland Court Help Center (free legal help by phone and chat) and Maryland Legal Aid.
Free help in Maryland
Questions about clearing a record in Maryland
What is the legal term in Maryland?
Expungement; shielding. Expungement removes the case from public inspection: records are destroyed or moved to a secure area that people without a legitimate reason cannot see, and it disappears from Case Search. Shielding (Second Chance Act) only hides certain minor convictions from the public; police, courts and some employers and licensing boards can still see them.
Can convictions be cleared in Maryland?
Expungement of non-conviction and other favorable dispositions: Acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi, stet, probation before judgment (PBJ), compromise, transfer to juvenile court, not criminally responsible for certain nuisance offenses; also a pardoned single non-violent conviction, convictions for listed public-nuisance offenses, conduct that is no longer a crime, cannabis possession, and convictions vacated for human-trafficking victims. Expungement of convictions: Convictions for a long list of misdemeanors named in the statute (for example theft, second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, many drug possession offenses, trespass, bad checks, driving without a license), plus these felonies: felony theft, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, and first-, second- and third-degree burglary; also attempts, conspiracies and solicitations of these. From October 1, 2026, you may also petition under § 10-110 for a listed offense in a case the court closed with a 'no finding' designation or marked 'terminated without finding'. Shielding (Maryland Second Chance Act): Convictions for: disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, failure to obey a lawful order, lesser malicious destruction of property, trespass on posted property, drug possession (CDS or non-controlled substance), paraphernalia, driving without a license, driving while suspended or revoked, driving uninsured, and prostitution.
Will Maryland clear my record on its own?
If every charge in a case ended in acquittal, dismissal, not guilty or nolle prosequi (not nolle prosequi with required treatment), the court expunges the case automatically 3 years after the disposition. Traffic cases are not included. You can ask for earlier expungement with form CC-DC-CR-072C. Convictions are not cleared automatically.
What about marijuana convictions in Maryland?
A conviction for cannabis possession can be expunged by petition as soon as the sentence is complete; possession with intent to distribute cannabis needs 3 years after the sentence (Criminal Procedure §§ 10-105(a)(12), (c)(8); 10-110(c)(5); form CC-DC-CR-072D). Case Search may not show cases where cannabis possession was the only charge and was disposed of before July 1, 2023, and since January 31, 2026 it may not show cannabis possession convictions later pardoned by the Governor.
Can juvenile records be cleared in Maryland?
You may petition the court where the juvenile case was filed to expunge it once you are 18 and 2 years have passed since the last action, if you were adjudicated delinquent no more than once, have no later conviction, and the offense was not a felony or crime of violence; there is no filing fee.
What changes after a record is cleared in Maryland?
Employers, schools and state licensing agencies may not require you to disclose expunged charges, and refusing to disclose them cannot be the sole reason to refuse to hire you or deny a license; a violation is a misdemeanor. Shielded records stay visible to police, courts, and employers or licensing boards that are legally required to check criminal backgrounds.