Clearing a criminal record in Mississippi
In Mississippi it is called expunction (expungement): an expunction order removes the case from all public records and restores you, in the eyes of the law, to the status you had before the arrest. Some misdemeanor and felony convictions may be cleared.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026. · Free letter and checklist ↓
Can my record be cleared in Mississippi?
Expunction (expungement) — An expunction order removes the case from all public records and restores you, in the eyes of the law, to the status you had before the arrest. The Mississippi Criminal Information Center and the district attorney keep a nonpublic copy for limited purposes.
Mississippi has 6 ways to clear a record. Each covers different records and has its own waiting period.
Expunction of arrests and dismissed or not-guilty cases (Miss. Code § 99-19-71(4); § 99-15-59)
Arrests where you were released and the case was dismissed, the charges were dropped, there was no disposition, or you were found not guilty; misdemeanor arrests or citations not formally charged within 12 months.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Dismissed, dropped, no disposition, or not guilty | No waiting period You may petition at any time after the case ends; the court must grant it. | The dismissal or verdict |
Misdemeanor arrest or citation never formally charged | 1 year If you were not formally charged within 12 months of the arrest, you may apply to the court to expunge it (or after the charge is dismissed). | The arrest |
Law: Miss. Code Ann. §§ 99-19-71(4), 99-15-59
Source: Official text
Expunction after nonadjudication (Miss. Code § 99-15-26)
Cases where the circuit, county, justice or municipal court withheld acceptance of a guilty plea (nonadjudication) and dismissed the case after you completed the conditions. Crimes against the person, crimes of violence and some other offenses cannot get nonadjudication.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Nonadjudication completed and case dismissed | No waiting period After you complete the conditions and the case is dismissed, you may petition the court to expunge the record. | Dismissal |
Law: Miss. Code Ann. § 99-15-26(4), (5)
Source: Official text
Expunction of a misdemeanor conviction — first offender (Miss. Code § 99-19-71(1))
A misdemeanor conviction that is not a traffic violation, if you are a first offender.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Misdemeanor conviction (first offender) | See the rule The statute sets no waiting period; you may petition the court where you were convicted. | Conviction |
- Not eligible
- Traffic violations; convictions of public officials related to their official duties.
- Limits
- Only if you are a first offender.
Law: Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71(1), (5)
Source: Official text
Expunction of misdemeanors by a justice or municipal court (Miss. Code §§ 9-11-15(3), 21-23-7(6))
Any or all misdemeanor convictions entered in that justice court or municipal court.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Misdemeanor conviction in justice or municipal court | 2 years The judge may expunge your misdemeanors from that court if you show rehabilitation and 2 years of good conduct since your last conviction in any court. | Your last conviction in any court |
- Limits
- The judge decides; it is not a right. The order does not reach confidential law-enforcement records or your driving record.
Law: Miss. Code Ann. §§ 9-11-15(3), 21-23-7(6)
Source: Official text
Expunction of one felony conviction (Miss. Code § 99-19-71(2))
One felony conviction (all convictions from the same set of facts count as one), after you have paid all fines and court costs.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Eligible felony | 3 years Since July 1, 2026, you may petition 3 years after you complete every term and condition of your sentence (it was 5 years before). | Successful completion of all terms and conditions of the sentence |
- Not eligible
- Crimes of violence; first-degree arson; drug trafficking; third or later DUI; felon in possession of a firearm; failure to register as a sex offender; voyeurism; witness intimidation; abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable person; embezzlement; felony procuring or promoting prostitution; convictions of public officials related to their official duties.
- Limits
- Only one felony expunction in your lifetime.
Law: Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71(2), as amended by 2026 H.B. 1546 (effective July 1, 2026); § 97-3-2; § 41-29-139; §§ 97-11-25, 97-23-19
Source: Official text
Expunction for human-trafficking victims (Miss. Code § 97-3-54.6)
Misdemeanor and non-violent felony convictions or delinquency adjudications for conduct during the time you were being trafficked.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Offense committed while being trafficked | No waiting period You may file a motion at any time; the court must find by a preponderance of the evidence that the offense happened while you were trafficked. | Anytime |
- Not eligible
- Crimes of violence under § 97-3-2.
Law: Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-54.6, as amended by 2026 H.B. 1546
Source: Official text
When can I file? Waiting periods in Mississippi
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 Mississippi
Expunction of arrests and dismissed or not-guilty cases (Miss. Code § 99-19-71(4); § 99-15-59)
Petition the justice, county, circuit or municipal court that handled the case. The court 'shall' expunge eligible non-conviction records.
- Cost
- $150 filing fee for each petition under § 99-19-71, collected by the circuit clerk; the statute sets no separate fee for § 99-15-59 applications.
Law: § 99-19-72
Expunction after nonadjudication (Miss. Code § 99-15-26)
Petition the court that granted nonadjudication.
Expunction of a misdemeanor conviction — first offender (Miss. Code § 99-19-71(1))
Petition the justice, county, circuit or municipal court where the conviction was entered.
- Cost
- $150 filing fee for each petition under § 99-19-71, collected by the circuit clerk.
Law: Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-72
Expunction of misdemeanors by a justice or municipal court (Miss. Code §§ 9-11-15(3), 21-23-7(6))
Ask the justice court or municipal court that convicted you, with prior notice to the prosecutor; you must show in open court that you are rehabilitated and that expunction serves society's best interest.
Expunction of one felony conviction (Miss. Code § 99-19-71(2))
Petition the court where you were convicted and give the district attorney 10 days' written notice before the hearing. The judge decides whether you are rehabilitated; if denied, the court must give specific reasons.
- Cost
- $150 filing fee for each petition under § 99-19-71, collected by the circuit clerk.
Law: Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-72
Expunction for human-trafficking victims (Miss. Code § 97-3-54.6)
File a motion in the court where the conviction or adjudication was entered.
Free help in Mississippi
- Mississippi Center for Justice — Expungement (clinics; intake may be paused) · (601) 352-2269
- Mississippi Legal Services (LawHelp network)
- Find free legal aid at LawHelp.org
National help
Free letter and checklist
Checklist: what to gather before you file
Case numbers, court papers, proof you finished your sentence, forms and fees for Mississippi.
Clearing a record in Mississippi by topic
Expunction of arrests and dismissed or not-guilty cases (Miss. Code § 99-19-71(4); § 99-15-59) in Mississippi
Which records each remedy covers, who is not eligible and what changes afterwards.
Waiting periods in Mississippi
How long you wait for each kind of case, and a date helper.
Juvenile records in Mississippi
The youth court may seal records once you turn 20, if it dismisses the case, or if it sets aside an adjudication; it may also seal records at any time on its own motion or on your application.
Law: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-263
Pardons in Mississippi
- Who decides
- The Governor
- How
- Apply to the Governor. Under the state constitution, a felony pardon may be granted only after the application has been published for 30 days in a newspaper in the county where the crime was committed. The Parole Board may investigate clemency applications for the Governor.
Law: Miss. Const. art. 5, § 124
After your record is cleared in Mississippi
After expunction you are restored to the status you had before the arrest and cannot be charged with perjury or false statement for not mentioning the arrest, indictment or conviction — except in later proceedings checking whether you are a first offender. However, employers may still ask whether you have had an expunction order, and if you are called for jury duty you must tell the judge privately when asked.
Law: Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71(3)
Get your own record in Mississippi
Mississippi Criminal Information Center (Department of Public Safety)
Good to know in Mississippi
- From July 1, 2026, the wait to expunge an eligible felony dropped from 5 to 3 years after you finish your sentence.
Law: 2026 H.B. 1546
- Mississippi allows only one felony expunction in a lifetime, and employers may still ask whether you have had an expunction order. The filing fee for a § 99-19-71 petition is $150.
Law: Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71(2), (3); § 99-19-72
- Bills for automatic expungement of misdemeanors and dismissed cases died in committee.
Law: 2025 H.B. 497; 2026 H.B. 455
Changes in 2024–2026
2026 H.B. 1546 (approved March 30, 2026; effective July 1, 2026) cut the felony waiting period from 5 to 3 years, added felony procuring and promoting prostitution to the excluded list, and let trafficking victims expunge misdemeanor and non-violent convictions tied to their victimization.
Questions about clearing a record in Mississippi
What is clearing a record called in Mississippi?
Expunction (expungement). An expunction order removes the case from all public records and restores you, in the eyes of the law, to the status you had before the arrest. The Mississippi Criminal Information Center and the district attorney keep a nonpublic copy for limited purposes.
Can convictions be cleared in Mississippi?
Expunction of arrests and dismissed or not-guilty cases: Arrests where you were released and the case was dismissed, the charges were dropped, there was no disposition, or you were found not guilty; misdemeanor arrests or citations not formally charged within 12 months. Expunction after nonadjudication: Cases where the circuit, county, justice or municipal court withheld acceptance of a guilty plea (nonadjudication) and dismissed the case after you completed the conditions. Crimes against the person, crimes of violence and some other offenses cannot get nonadjudication. Expunction of a misdemeanor conviction — first offender: A misdemeanor conviction that is not a traffic violation, if you are a first offender. Expunction of misdemeanors by a justice or municipal court: Any or all misdemeanor convictions entered in that justice court or municipal court. Expunction of one felony conviction: One felony conviction (all convictions from the same set of facts count as one), after you have paid all fines and court costs. Expunction for human-trafficking victims: Misdemeanor and non-violent felony convictions or delinquency adjudications for conduct during the time you were being trafficked.
How long do I have to wait in Mississippi?
Dismissed, dropped, no disposition, or not guilty: No waiting period, counted from the dismissal or verdict; Misdemeanor arrest or citation never formally charged: 1 year, counted from the arrest; Nonadjudication completed and case dismissed: No waiting period, counted from dismissal; Misdemeanor conviction (first offender): The statute sets no waiting period; you may petition the court where you were convicted, counted from conviction.
How much does it cost to clear a record in Mississippi?
Expunction of arrests and dismissed or not-guilty cases: $150 filing fee for each petition under § 99-19-71, collected by the circuit clerk; the statute sets no separate fee for § 99-15-59 applications. Expunction of a misdemeanor conviction — first offender: $150 filing fee for each petition under § 99-19-71, collected by the circuit clerk. Expunction of one felony conviction: $150 filing fee for each petition under § 99-19-71, collected by the circuit clerk.
Can juvenile records be cleared in Mississippi?
The youth court may seal records once you turn 20, if it dismisses the case, or if it sets aside an adjudication; it may also seal records at any time on its own motion or on your application.
What can I say after my record is cleared in Mississippi?
After expunction you are restored to the status you had before the arrest and cannot be charged with perjury or false statement for not mentioning the arrest, indictment or conviction — except in later proceedings checking whether you are a first offender. However, employers may still ask whether you have had an expunction order, and if you are called for jury duty you must tell the judge privately when asked.
Where can I get free help in Mississippi?
Mississippi Center for Justice — Expungement (clinics; intake may be paused) and Mississippi Legal Services (LawHelp network).