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Last updated: July 2026
Expungement in Louisiana removes an arrest or conviction record from public view. Eligibility depends on the offense and outcome—most misdemeanors and non-violent felonies qualify after a waiting period (generally 5 years for misdemeanors, 5–10 years for felonies). Violent crimes, sex offenses, and serious felonies typically cannot be expunged.
A criminal record can follow you for years, limiting your opportunities for employment, housing, education, and professional licensing. Louisiana law offers a path to relief: expungement, which removes an arrest or conviction record from public view.
After an expungement, the record becomes inaccessible to most background checks, and in most situations you’re not required to disclose the arrest or conviction. Here’s what you need to know about eligibility, the process, and the costs involved in Louisiana.
What Does Expungement Do in Louisiana?
Expungement removes an arrest or conviction record from public access. Once expunged, the record won’t appear on most background checks, and in most circumstances you can legally deny that the arrest or conviction occurred.
In Louisiana, expungement doesn’t destroy the record entirely—law enforcement and certain agencies may still access it—but it removes the record from public view. For most everyday purposes, including job and housing applications, an expunged record is treated as though it doesn’t exist.
This gives people with a past arrest or conviction a genuine fresh start, free from the shadow of mistakes that no longer reflect who they are.
Who Is Eligible for Expungement in Louisiana?
You may qualify if you were acquitted, your charges were dismissed, or you completed your sentence and a required waiting period has passed with no new convictions or pending charges. Most misdemeanors and non-violent felonies are eligible; violent crimes, sex offenses, and serious felonies generally are not.
Not every record can be expunged. Eligibility depends on the specific details of your case. Generally, you may qualify if:
- You were acquitted at trial
- Your charges were dismissed
- You completed your sentence, including probation and parole
- A required period has passed with no additional convictions
- You have no pending criminal charges
- The offense was not a violent crime, sex crime, or serious felony
Most misdemeanors and non-violent offenses can be expunged, but eligibility varies case by case. An experienced criminal defense attorney can review your specific record to confirm whether you qualify.
Can Juvenile Records Be Expunged in Louisiana?
Yes. Juvenile records can often be expunged—immediately if there was no adjudication, and in many cases even after an adjudication, except for serious offenses like murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, armed robbery, or offenses requiring sex offender registration.
Louisiana treats juvenile records more leniently than adult records. If your juvenile charge didn’t result in adjudication (a judge’s determination that you committed the act, or acceptance of an admission), the record can be expunged.
Many juvenile charges can be expunged even after an adjudication, once the case is closed, dismissed, or adjudicated—as long as the charge wasn’t murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, armed robbery, or an offense requiring sex offender registration. The person must also have no pending charges in adult court and no adult convictions involving a firearm.
What Are the Waiting Periods for Expungement in Louisiana?
For misdemeanors, the waiting period is generally 5 years from completion of the sentence. For felonies, it ranges from 5 to 10 years, depending on the offense. You must complete the waiting period before filing your petition.
Louisiana requires a waiting period before you can file for expungement, and the length depends on the type of offense and the outcome of your case:
Misdemeanors: Generally 5 years from the completion of your sentence.
Felonies: Generally 5 to 10 years from completion of your sentence, depending on the offense.
Cases that ended in acquittal or dismissal may not require the same waiting period, since there was no conviction. Confirming the correct timeline for your situation is important before filing.
What Is the Expungement Process in Louisiana?
To expunge a record, you confirm eligibility, wait out the required period, then file a petition with supporting documents—certified copies of the record, proof you completed your sentence, and a personal statement. Filing errors can lead to denial and lost fees.
The expungement process involves several steps:
- Confirm eligibility: Verify that your offense qualifies and that any required waiting period has passed.
- Gather documents: Assemble the paperwork required to support your petition.
- File the petition: Submit your expungement petition to the appropriate court.
- Await the court’s decision: The court reviews your petition and, if granted, orders the record removed from public access.
When filing, you’ll generally need to submit:
- Certified copies of the criminal record
- Proof of completion of your sentence
- A personal statement describing your rehabilitation and reasons for seeking expungement
Accuracy matters. Filing for a record that isn’t eligible—or submitting incorrect paperwork—can result in denial and forfeited fees. This is where legal guidance can save time and money.
How Much Does Expungement Cost in Louisiana?
Filing fees can run as high as around $600, depending on the type of expungement and the court. If you can’t afford the fees, you may request a waiver by applying in forma pauperis (IFP).
The cost of expungement in Louisiana varies by the type of expungement and the court handling it, with fees reaching as high as roughly $600.
If the cost is a barrier, you may qualify for a fee waiver by filing in forma pauperis (IFP)—a request asking the court to recognize that you can’t afford the filing fees. If the court denies the IFP request, you may be responsible for the full fees, so it’s important to confirm your record is eligible and your paperwork is correct before filing.
Why Should You Consider Expunging Your Record?
Expungement can improve your access to employment, housing, credit, professional licensing, and education—and provide peace of mind by keeping past mistakes out of public background checks.
Clearing a record from public view removes a barrier that can affect nearly every part of life:
- Employment: Many employers run background checks. Expungement keeps a past record from blocking job opportunities.
- Housing: Landlords frequently review criminal records. A clean record improves your chances of approval.
- Credit and financing: Removing a record can improve access to loans and better interest rates.
- Professional licensing: Fields like healthcare, law, teaching, and real estate often require a clean record for licensing.
- Education: A clean record can improve eligibility for programs, grants, and scholarships.
- Peace of mind: Perhaps most importantly, expungement lets you move forward without the weight of past mistakes.
Ready to Clear Your Record in Louisiana?
If a past arrest or conviction is holding you back, expungement may offer the fresh start you deserve. The process can be complex, but The Bradley Law Firm, PLLC can evaluate your eligibility, prepare your petition, and guide you through each step.
Call 504-336-1717 to schedule a free consultation and find out whether you qualify.
