Clearing a criminal record in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin it is called expungement (court record of conviction): expungement seals the circuit court's case file and removes it from the public court website.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026. · Free letter and checklist ↓
Can my record be cleared in Wisconsin?
Expungement (court record of conviction) — In Wisconsin, expungement seals the circuit court's case file and removes it from the public court website (WCCA). It does not set aside the conviction, and the conviction stays in the state Department of Justice criminal history repository and other agency records, which anyone can request.
Wisconsin has 3 ways to clear a record. Each covers different records and has its own waiting period.
Expungement for offenders under 25 (Wis. Stat. § 973.015)
Misdemeanors, and Class H and Class I felonies (crimes with a maximum prison term of 6 years or less), committed when you were under 25, for sentences imposed on or after July 1, 2009. For sentences imposed before July 1, 2009: misdemeanors committed when you were under 21. Separately, the court must order expungement of certain invasion-of-privacy ("peeping Tom") convictions under § 942.08 committed when you were under 18.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Eligible offense, judge ordered expungement at sentencing | No waiting period No waiting period: once you successfully complete the sentence, the record is expunged. | Successful completion of the sentence |
- Not eligible
- The judge must decide at sentencing; you cannot ask for expungement later (State v. Matasek, 2014; State v. Arberry, 2018). A Class H or Class I felony is not eligible if you have a prior felony conviction or if it is a "violent offense" under § 301.048(2)(bm). Also excluded: Class H felonies of stalking, physical abuse of a child and sexual assault of a student by a school staff person; and the Class I felony of hiding the death of a child. Felonies above Class H, civil forfeitures (such as most traffic and ordinance tickets), dismissed charges and acquittals cannot be expunged by the court.
Law: Wis. Stat. § 973.015(1m); § 940.32; § 948.03(2), (3) or (5)(a)1-4; § 948.095; § 948.23(1)(a)
Source: Official text
Expungement for victims of human trafficking (Wis. Stat. § 973.015(2m))
Prostitution convictions for a commercial sex act you committed as a victim of human trafficking
Law: Wis. Stat. § 973.015(2m); § 944.30
Source: Official text
Removal of arrest information from the state repository (Wis. Stat. § 165.84)
Arrests where you were released without charge, no charges were filed, the charges were dismissed, or you were found not guilty, on all charges from that arrest
- Not eligible
- A conviction (even an expunged one) cannot be removed from the repository.
Law: Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1)
Source: Official text
When can I file? Waiting periods in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin
Expungement for offenders under 25 (Wis. Stat. § 973.015)
Ask the judge at sentencing; the judge must find that you will benefit and society will not be harmed. If you were on probation or in jail or prison, your probation agent or the institution sends a certificate of discharge to the clerk, and the clerk expunges the record; you do not need to file anything (State v. Hemp, 2014). If no certificate was sent, contact your agent or the institution. If you were not on probation and not jailed (for example, only a fine), file form CR-266 when you have completed the sentence, including paying all court-ordered money. Successful completion means no new conviction, no probation revocation, and all conditions met, including Department of Corrections rules.
Expungement for victims of human trafficking (Wis. Stat. § 973.015(2m))
Petition the court that convicted you.
Law: Wis. Stat. § 973.015(2m), created by 2013 Wisconsin Act 362
Law: Wis. Stat. § 973.015(2m), created by 2013 Wisconsin Act 362
Removal of arrest information from the state repository (Wis. Stat. § 165.84)
Send the Wisconsin DOJ Crime Information Bureau form DJ-LE-250B with your fingerprints (needed to match the arrest card), plus any papers showing dismissal or no prosecution. The FBI is also asked to remove the arrest. This does not remove records held by courts, police or other agencies.
- Cost
- No fee.
Court self-help
Free help in Wisconsin
National help
Free letter and checklist
Letter: ask for a copy of your own record
A request to the state records office (Wisconsin Department of Justice, Crime Information Bureau (Wisconsin Criminal History Repository)) 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 Wisconsin.
Clearing a record in Wisconsin by topic
Expungement for offenders under 25 (Wis. Stat. § 973.015) in Wisconsin
Which records each remedy covers, who is not eligible and what changes afterwards.
Waiting periods in Wisconsin
How long you wait for each kind of case, and a date helper.
How to file in Wisconsin
The steps, the cost, fee waivers, the forms and court self-help.
Juvenile records in Wisconsin
Once you are 17 and have satisfactorily complied with the dispositional order, you may petition the juvenile court to expunge your juvenile adjudication; the court must find that you will benefit and society will not be harmed.
Law: Wis. Stat. § 938.355(4m)
Source: form JD-1780
Pardons in Wisconsin
- Who decides
- Governor of Wisconsin, on the recommendation of the Governor's Pardon Advisory Board
- How
- Only Wisconsin felony convictions are eligible (misdemeanors only if sentenced together with the felony). At least 5 years must have passed since you finished all confinement and supervision, you may have no pending charges, and you may not be required to register as a sex offender. Apply on the Governor's application; there is no fee. Most applicants get a hearing, usually at least 18 months after applying. A pardon does not expunge the record. Under Gov. Evers, whose term ends in January 2027, the last day to apply was October 5, 2026; applications not decided are held for the next administration.
Law: Wis. Const. art. V, § 6
After your record is cleared in Wisconsin
After expungement, the court seals the case file and a search of the public court website (WCCA) will not show the case. The conviction is not vacated: it stays in the DOJ criminal history repository, which anyone can search for a fee, and in records of police, prosecutors, the DOT and other agencies.
Source: Wisconsin court system brochure; form CR-266
Get your own record in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Justice, Crime Information Bureau (Wisconsin Criminal History Repository) · 608-266-7314
Anyone can request adult criminal history online through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS, recordcheck.doj.wi.gov) for a fee. To fix errors, use DOJ's record challenge process.
Letter: ask the state records office for a copy of your record
Good to know in Wisconsin
- Expungement must be ordered by the judge at sentencing; you cannot apply for it years later (Wis. Stat. § 973.015; State v. Arberry, 2018 WI 7).
- An expunged conviction still appears in the state DOJ repository that employers can search (Wisconsin DOJ).
- The deadline to apply for a pardon from Gov. Evers before his term ends in January 2027 was October 5, 2026 (Office of the Governor).
Questions about clearing a record in Wisconsin
What is clearing a record called in Wisconsin?
Expungement (court record of conviction). In Wisconsin, expungement seals the circuit court's case file and removes it from the public court website (WCCA). It does not set aside the conviction, and the conviction stays in the state Department of Justice criminal history repository and other agency records, which anyone can request.
Can convictions be cleared in Wisconsin?
Expungement for offenders under 25: Misdemeanors, and Class H and Class I felonies (crimes with a maximum prison term of 6 years or less), committed when you were under 25, for sentences imposed on or after July 1, 2009. For sentences imposed before July 1, 2009: misdemeanors committed when you were under 21. Separately, the court must order expungement of certain invasion-of-privacy ("peeping Tom") convictions under § 942.08 committed when you were under 18. Expungement for victims of human trafficking: Prostitution convictions for a commercial sex act you committed as a victim of human trafficking. Removal of arrest information from the state repository: Arrests where you were released without charge, no charges were filed, the charges were dismissed, or you were found not guilty, on all charges from that arrest.
How long do I have to wait in Wisconsin?
Eligible offense, judge ordered expungement at sentencing: No waiting period, counted from successful completion of the sentence.
How much does it cost to clear a record in Wisconsin?
Removal of arrest information from the state repository: No fee.
Can juvenile records be cleared in Wisconsin?
Once you are 17 and have satisfactorily complied with the dispositional order, you may petition the juvenile court to expunge your juvenile adjudication; the court must find that you will benefit and society will not be harmed.
What can I say after my record is cleared in Wisconsin?
After expungement, the court seals the case file and a search of the public court website (WCCA) will not show the case. The conviction is not vacated: it stays in the DOJ criminal history repository, which anyone can search for a fee, and in records of police, prosecutors, the DOT and other agencies.
How do I get a copy of my criminal record in Wisconsin?
Anyone can request adult criminal history online through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS, recordcheck.doj.wi.gov) for a fee. To fix errors, use DOJ's record challenge process.
Where can I get free help in Wisconsin?
WisLawHelp (Wisconsin legal aid information) and Legal Action of Wisconsin.