expunction

Expunction is a legal process intended to limit or remove access to certain records related to criminal matters. In practice, it often means that a person’s arrest, charge, or conviction records are sealed, erased, or destroyed so they are not available to the public. The exact meaning and effect of expunction vary by jurisdiction; some places use the terms expungement, sealing, or destruction to describe similar outcomes. Expunction commonly applies to records involving juvenile offenses, charges that were dismissed, or convictions that are eligible for relief.

Eligibility and procedures differ widely. Commonly, courts require that the individual has completed the sentence, is not facing active charges, and has no related offenses within a specified period. Some jurisdictions limit expunction to lesser offenses or to cases that did not result in a conviction. The process generally involves filing a petition or motion with a court, and in many systems a hearing may be held where prosecutors can oppose the relief. A judge may grant the expunction by ordering agencies to seal or destroy records or to remove public access.

Effects and limitations also vary. When expunction is granted, records may be sealed from public view, but some records can remain accessible to certain government agencies, law enforcement, or in specific contexts such as ongoing investigations or immigration matters. In many jurisdictions, expunged information may not be disclosed on ordinary background checks for most employers, but exceptions exist for certain positions or legal requirements. Not all offenses are eligible, and the availability of expunction has evolved with reform efforts.

Examples of jurisdictions differ, with some states offering broader sealing or destruction options and others permitting only limited relief.