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Missouri
Adult Criminal Record Clearance Overview
Adult criminal records for cases in which you were convicted are eligible for expungement in some situations. You have to file a petition in court to start the process.
- If you were convicted of certain misdemeanors, the record can be expunged one year after you complete your sentence. It is up to the judge whether or not to grant your petition.
- If you were convicted of certain felonies, the record can be expunged three years after you complete your sentence. It is up to the judge whether or not to grant your petition.
- With certain exceptions, if you were charged with a first-time intoxicated driving or boating misdemeanor, the record can be expunged 10 years after the conviction, so long as you have no other intoxication-related arrests or convictions during that time. If you meet the criteria, the judge has to grant your petition.
- Records relating to a conviction for prostitution where you were underage 18 or coerced by someone else can be expunged immediately by the court.
- If you were convicted of buying or possessing alcohol while under the age of 21, you may have the record expunged one year after your 21st birthday if you meet certain conditions.
Likely not eligible for expungement, confidentiality, or closure.
Adult criminal records for arrests for which you were never convicted are eligible for expungement, confidentiality, or closure in some situations.
- With certain exceptions, if your case ended with a nolle prosequi, dismissal, acquittal, or suspended sentence, the record should become confidential immediately.
- If your arrest was based on false information or a lack of probable cause and no charges were filed, the record can be expunged if you have no misdemeanor or felony convictions. You have to file a petition in court to start the process, and if you meet the criteria, the judge has to grant your petition.
- If you were convicted of a motor vehicle offense that was not intoxication related, and your case ended with a nolle prosequi, dismissal, or acquittal, the record can be expunged if you have no other misdemeanor or felony convictions. You are not eligible if you had a commercial driver’s license and were operating a commercial vehicle at the time of the offense. 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 your case resulted in a suspended sentence before September 28, 1981, the record can be closed. 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 a victim of identity theft and someone used your name when arrested and prosecuted for a crime, the record can be expunged immediately. If the prosecutor has not already alerted the judge, you have to file a petition in court to start the process, and once your information is checked, the judge has to grant your petition.
Adult Criminal Record Clearance Policies
Convictions
Records of a case resulting in a suspended sentence prior to September 28, 1981, can be closed by the court. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.106.
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Records of a first-time misdemeanor intoxication-related traffic or boating offense can be expunged after 10 years if the person has no subsequent intoxication-related offenses. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.130.
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Records related to certain misdemeanor convictions can be expunged by the court three years after sentence completion. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.140(5)(1).
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Records of certain felony convictions can be expunged by the court seven years after sentence completion. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.140(5)(1).
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Records relating to a conviction for prostitution where the defendant was under age 18 or acting under coercion can be expunged immediately by the court. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.131.
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A first time conviction under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 311.325 for purchase or possession of alcohol while under 21 years old may be expunged one year after the petitioner turns 21, provided the petitioner has not been convicted of any other alcohol-related offenses, has not had any alcohol-related enforcement contacts as defined in section 302.525, and is not licensed as a commercial motor vehicle driver. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 311.326.
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Records relating to a felony conviction for criminal nonsupport that was followed by a probation sentence, can be expunged by the court if the person has paid all arrearages, has no child support actions pending, and has successfully completed probation. Mo. Rev. Stat. §568.040(3).
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Factual Innocence
Records relating to an arrest, charge, or conviction in a case involving stolen or mistaken identity can be expunged by the court immediately. Mo. Rev. Stat. §§575.120, 610.145.
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Non-Conviction Arrests
Records of arrest for a misdemeanor motor vehicle offense under chapter 303 or any moving violation, except intoxication-related traffic offenses, can be expunged if the charge was nolle prossed, dismissed, or resulted in a finding of not guilty, so long as the person was not a commercial driver's license holder operating a commercial motor vehicle at the time of the arrest and has no misdemeanor or felony convictions. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.122(2).
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Records of a case resulting in nolle prosequi, dismissal, acquittal, or suspension of sentence are confidential, with certain exceptions. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.105.
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Records of an arrest that was based on false information, lacked probable cause, and did not lead to charges or a suspended sentence can be expunged for a person without a misdemeanor or felony conviction. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.122(1).
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Juvenile Record Clearance Overview
Below is a general overview of when juvenile records can be sealed in Missouri. Please note that the Clean Slate Clearinghouse does not provide legal advice.
Read the legal policies and statutes for detailed statutory information.
Juvenile Record Clearance Policies Overview
- Most juvenile records can be sealed after you turn 18 or when your case closes, whichever occurs last. You have to submit a request to the court to start the process, and it is up to the judge whether or not to grant your request.
Find a Lawyer
If you think you might be eligible to have your record sealed, find a lawyer who may be able to help you. Some lawyers might help you for free, although you may still need to pay a fee to file the paperwork in court.
Court Forms and Resources
If you cannot find a lawyer to help you, you may be able to file a petition on your own using these court forms and resources.
Juvenile Record Clearance Policies
Court Records and Law Enforcement Records
Records of a delinquency matter in which the jurisdiction of the court has been extended past the child's 18th birthday can be sealed any time after the closing of the child's case, so long as the court finds that it is in the best interest of the child to do so. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 211.321(5).
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Records of a delinquency matter can be sealed after the child's 17th birthday, so long as the court finds that it is in the best interest of the child to do so. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 211.321(5).
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Find A Lawyer
Legal service providers located in the state.
Contact information for legal aid organizations, bar associations, and other organizations that engage in record clearance work is provided for informational purposes only. The NRRC does not endorse or recommend any organization or individual referenced on the site. If you are a legal service provider who offers record clearance services, please contact us.
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