Find out what your state actually allows.
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If you have an old citation, conviction, or arrest record, your state may allow you to expunge, seal, set aside, or get a certificate of relief. The rules are state-specific and the eligibility framing matters.
What LawSensai is not
- LawSensai is not a law firm.
- It does not give legal advice.
- It does not represent you.
About the screening result
We do not promise eligibility. The screening result is informational and never replaces an attorney's eligibility review.
Four common kinds of record relief
Not every state offers every kind of relief. The screening checks the rules for the state you are in.
Expungement
The record is physically destroyed or made inaccessible. Rules vary by state and by offense.
Sealing
The record is hidden from public view. Law enforcement and certain agencies may still see it.
Set-aside
The conviction is vacated or set aside. The underlying record may still be visible in some contexts.
Certificate of relief
Does not erase the record, but signals rehabilitation. Often used to lift collateral consequences.
How the 10 launch states approach record clearing
The framing below is informational and based on publicly available statutes. It is not legal advice. An attorney has to confirm eligibility for your matter.
California
Expungement and automatic clearingCalifornia AB 1076 automatically clears many eligible records as of 2023. Older or ineligible records can be cleared by petition under Penal Code 1203.4.
Automatic clearing under AB 1076 applies to many post-2021 cases without a petition.
California permits self-represented petitions under Penal Code 1203.4 for many situations.
Texas
Non-disclosure and expunctionTexas non-disclosure orders are the primary relief. Expunction is limited to dismissals, acquittals, and certain pardoned cases under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55.
Florida
Sealing and expunctionFlorida record sealing and expunction is governed by Florida Statutes 943.0585 and 943.059. Most adult cases require a certificate of eligibility from FDLE before a court petition.
New York
SealingNew York is a sealing-only state for most records. CPL 160.59 sealing requires a petition and a 10-year waiting period. The Clean Slate Act (effective November 2024) automatically seals some convictions after a waiting period.
Clean Slate Act automatic sealing applies to some convictions after the statutory waiting period.
Illinois
Sealing and expungementIllinois sealing is tiered by offense type and requires a petition under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2. Cannabis offenses received automatic expungement under the 2019 act.
Cannabis offenses cleared automatically under the 2019 Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
Illinois permits self-represented petitions for sealing and expungement under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2.
Pennsylvania
Sealing and limited accessPennsylvania Clean Slate (Act 56 of 2018, expanded by Act 36 of 2023) provides automatic sealing for certain misdemeanors and non-conviction records. Limited Access petitions and pardons remain available for other matters.
Clean Slate Act automatically seals certain misdemeanors and non-conviction records after the waiting period.
Ohio
Sealing and expungementOhio sealing and expungement is governed by R.C. 2953.31 through 2953.521. Senate Bill 288 (effective April 2023) expanded eligibility for sealing many fourth and fifth degree felonies after a waiting period.
Ohio permits self-represented petitions for certain offenses under R.C. 2953.32.
Georgia
Record restriction and sealingGeorgia record restriction and sealing is governed by O.C.G.A. 35-3-37 and 17-1-1. SB 288 (effective January 2021) expanded eligibility for sealing some misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period.
North Carolina
ExpunctionNorth Carolina expunction is governed by N.C.G.S. 15A-145 through 15A-146.2. The Second Chance Act (S.L. 2020-35) made some non-conviction records automatically expunged and broadened eligibility for sealing dismissed and not guilty dispositions.
Second Chance Act automatically expunges some non-conviction records.
Michigan
Set-aside and automatic expungementMichigan Clean Slate Act automatically expunges eligible records after 7 to 10 years. Felonies and certain offenses still require a petition under MCL 780.621.
Clean Slate Act automatic expungement applies after 7 years for misdemeanors and 10 years for eligible felonies.
Michigan permits self-represented set-aside petitions under MCL 780.621.
Why an attorney still matters
Record clearing rules are highly state-specific. Prior conviction counts can disqualify an otherwise eligible petition. Federal carveouts (firearms, immigration, certain professional licenses) can reach a record even after a state grants relief. An attorney can read the statute against your specific paperwork and confirm what is actually available in your situation.
LawSensai provides legal information, document organization, and attorney matching. It is not a law firm. It does not replace advice from a criminal defense attorney.
This report is an organizational summary. It is not legal advice, an opinion on the merits, or a prediction of outcome.
This information is not protected by attorney-client privilege. Government investigators may be able to compel disclosure.
Informational only. This page does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney.