Louisiana: Adult Convictions (LA-C-2)

Records relating to a felony conviction can be expunged by the court 10 years after sentence completion, if the person has no subsequent convictions. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 978.

Record Detail(s)

Felony

Previous Conviction Disqualifying

Yes

Mandatory / Discretionary

Discretionary

Hearing

Yes, if objection filed

Clearance Process

Petition-based

Remedy

Expunge

Ineligible Category or Citation

See section 978(B) for offenses ineligible for expungement.

Procedure General

The petition must be filed in the district court. For the specific procedure, see La. C.Cr.P. Art. 978 et seq. If the records relate to a conviction for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a certified letter from the Department of Public Safety and Correction, Office of Motor Vehicles, must be submitted with the petition. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 984(A).

Fees

General expungement fees may be up to $550. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 983. An additional $50 is charged for petitions to expunge convictions of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 984. A person may proceed in forma pauperis in accordance with the provisions for waiver of court costs for indigent parties in civil matters. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 983(L).

Effect

The record is confidential and no longer public, but expungement does not limit the news media's use of the expunged record. It is made available only to persons and entities specified in La. C.Cr.P. Art. 973. The person is not required to disclose the arrest or expungement. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 972, 973.

Waiting Periods

The petition may be filed 10 years after sentence completion.

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