Massachusetts: Adult Convictions (MA-C-10)

Records of arrest and court proceedings for an offense that is no longer a crime can be expunged by the court immediately. ALM GL ch. 276, § 100K(a)(2).

Record Detail(s)

Decriminalized

Previous Conviction Disqualifying

No

Mandatory / Discretionary

Discretionary

Hearing

Yes, if objection filed

Clearance Process

By petition or court's own motion

Remedy

Expunge

Ineligible Category or Citation

There is no statutory language on ineligible offenses.

Procedure General

See ALM GL ch. 276, § 100K.

Fees

There is no statutory language on fees.

Effect

The person cannot be held under any provision of any law to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement for failure to recite or acknowledge the record, or portion thereof, in response to any inquiry for any purpose. ALM GL ch. 276, § 100M. The expunged record shall not operate to disqualify a person in any examination, appointment or application for employment with any county agency, municipal agency or state agency, nor shall expunged records be admissible in evidence or used in any way in any court proceedings or hearings before any boards or commissions or in determining suitability for the practice of any trade or profession requiring licensure. ALM GL ch. 276, § 100N.

Waiting Periods

There is no waiting period.

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