District of Columbia

Adult criminal records for arrests for which you were never convicted are eligible for sealing. You have to file a petition in court to start the process, and it is up to the judge whether or not to grant your petition. 

• If you were arrested for an eligible misdemeanor but not convicted and you have no prior disqualifying convictions, the record can be sealed two years after the case ends, or sooner if the prosecutor waives the waiting period. 
• If you were arrested for an eligible misdemeanor but not convicted and you have a prior disqualifying misdemeanor conviction, the record can be sealed five years after you complete your sentence for the disqualifying misdemeanor and two years after the case ends without a conviction. 
• If you were arrested for an eligible misdemeanor but not convicted and you have a prior disqualifying felony conviction, the record can be sealed 10 years after you complete your sentence for the felony conviction and two years after the case ends without a conviction. 
• If you were arrested for an offense other than an eligible misdemeanor but not charged and you have no prior disqualifying convictions, the record can be sealed three years after the case ends, or sooner if the prosecutor waives the waiting period. 
• If you were arrested for an offense other than an eligible misdemeanor but not charged and you have a prior disqualifying misdemeanor conviction, the record can be sealed, so long as it has been five years since you completed your sentence for the disqualifying misdemeanor and three years since the case ended without a conviction. 
• If you were arrested for an offense other than an eligible misdemeanor but not charged and you have a prior disqualifying felony conviction, the record can be sealed, so long as it has been 10 years since you completed your sentence for the disqualifying misdemeanor and three years since the case ended without a conviction. 
• If you were arrested for an offense other than an eligible misdemeanor but not convicted and you have no prior disqualifying convictions, the record can be sealed four years after the case ends, or sooner if the prosecutor waives the waiting period. 
• If you were arrested for an offense other than an eligible misdemeanor but not convicted, the non-conviction was not because you completed a deferred sentencing program, and you have a prior disqualifying misdemeanor conviction, the record can be sealed. You are only eligible if it has been five years since you completed your sentence for the disqualifying misdemeanor and four years since the case ended without a conviction. 
• If you were arrested for an offense other than an eligible misdemeanor but not convicted, the non-conviction was not because you completed a deferred sentencing program, and you have a prior disqualifying misdemeanor conviction, the record can be sealed. You are only eligible if it has been five years since you completed your sentence for the disqualifying misdemeanor and four years since the case ended without a conviction.  
• If you were arrested for an offense other than an eligible misdemeanor but not convicted, the non-conviction was not because you completed a deferred sentencing program, and you have a prior disqualifying felony conviction, the record can be sealed. You are only eligible if it has been 10 years since you completed your sentence for the disqualifying misdemeanor and four years since the case ended without a conviction. 
• If you were arrested as a fugitive from justice but not convicted, the record can be sealed after you appear before the court in the other jurisdiction. If you meet certain criteria, the judge has to grant the petition. If you do not meet the criteria, it is up to the judge whether or not to grant your petition. 
• If you were arrested because of mistaken identity or arrested but not convicted because you were factually innocent, the record can be sealed. It is up to the judge whether or not to grant your petition. 
• Records relating to an arrest or terminated prosecution for conduct that was a direct result of being a victim of human trafficking can be expunged by the court immediately.