How long you wait to clear a record in Mississippi
When you can ask to clear a record in Mississippi.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
In Mississippi you wait a set time before you can ask. The time depends on the case.
- Main remedy
- Expunction of arrests and dismissed or not-guilty cases (Miss. Code § 99-19-71(4); § 99-15-59)
- Waiting periods
- 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
Mississippi waiting period helper
Pick your kind of case and the date the waiting period runs from. We add the waiting period from the law; nothing else.
Waiting periods: 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
Waiting periods: 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
Waiting periods: 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
Waiting periods: 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
Waiting periods: 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)
Source: Official text
Waiting periods: 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
In nearby states
- Alabama: Dismissed with prejudice, no-billed, not guilty, or nolle prossed (any charge): You can file once more than 90 days have passed, counted from the dismissal, no-bill, acquittal or nolle pros
- Louisiana: Dismissal, acquittal, refusal to prosecute: No waiting period, counted from the end of the case
- Arkansas: Most misdemeanors and violations: No waiting period, counted from completion of sentence, including restitution, court costs and any driver's license reinstatement fees
Steps after the wait in Mississippi
Check your dates
Your court papers show when the case ended and when your sentence was done.
Read the full rule
The wait is only one rule; the court looks at the whole record.
Prepare your petition
When the waiting period has passed, you can prepare your request. How to file.
Talk to legal aid
Ask for free help: Mississippi Center for Justice — Expungement (clinics; intake may be paused) and Mississippi Legal Services (LawHelp network).
Free help in Mississippi
Questions about waiting periods in Mississippi
Can I clear a conviction 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.
What is the waiting period 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.
Is there free help to clear a record in Mississippi?
Mississippi Center for Justice — Expungement (clinics; intake may be paused) and Mississippi Legal Services (LawHelp network).