LOUISIANA
How to Clear Your Criminal Record
in Louisiana
A free, plain English guide to expungement in Louisiana — automated expungement now available, Article 894/893 deferred sentences, First Offender Pardons, and how to file under La. C.Cr.P. Art. 976–978.
What You Need to Know First
Automated expungement launched January 1, 2025. Louisiana now offers an automated expungement process for eligible records going back to January 1, 2006. Submit your information to the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (BCII) online — if eligible, records are expunged within 30 days. This is in addition to the traditional petition process. Check your eligibility and submit a request at the BCII website.
Louisiana's laws change nearly every year. The legislature modifies expungement rules in nearly every session, typically effective August 1 of that year. Always verify the most current version of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure before filing. The Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana (JAC) and the LACDL publish updates when the law changes.
Louisiana has three main expungement pathways depending on how your case was resolved.
Non-Conviction / Arrest Only
ART. 976 — NO WAITING PERIOD
Arrests where charges were not prosecuted, dismissed, or where prescription has run can be expunged at any time — no waiting period, even if you have later convictions. File a motion in the parish court where the arrest occurred. Free if acquitted after trial.
Misdemeanor Convictions
ART. 977 — 5 YEAR WAIT
Most misdemeanor convictions are eligible after 5 years from sentence completion with no felony convictions during that period. Article 894(B) deferred sentences that were set aside have no waiting period. Maximum $550 in fees.
Felony Convictions
ART. 978 — 10 YEAR WAIT
Most eligible felony convictions require 10 years from sentence completion with no other convictions during that period. Article 893(E) deferred sentences that were set aside have no waiting period. First Offender Pardons open a separate shorter pathway.
Article 894 and 893 — Louisiana's Most Powerful Tools
Louisiana's deferred sentence provisions under Articles 894 (misdemeanors) and 893 (felonies) are among the most powerful record relief tools in the state. If your sentence was deferred under these articles and you successfully completed probation, the conviction is set aside — making you eligible for expungement immediately with no waiting period. If you completed a drug court program, you may also qualify under Art. 893(E).
ART. 894(B) — MISDEMEANOR DEFERRED
- Sentence deferred under Art. 894(B) — judge withholds conviction
- Successfully complete probation — conviction set aside, prosecution dismissed
- Eligible for expungement immediately — no 5-year waiting period
- Check your sentencing documents to confirm 894(B) designation
ART. 893(E) — FELONY DEFERRED / DRUG COURT
- Sentence deferred under Art. 893(E) — judge withholds felony conviction
- Successfully complete probation or drug court — conviction set aside
- Eligible for expungement immediately — no 10-year waiting period
- Check your sentencing documents or contact your attorney to confirm
First Offender Pardon — Another Felony Pathway
Louisiana law provides an automatic First Offender Pardon to first-time felony offenders who complete their sentence without a subsequent conviction. This pardon — if granted — makes you eligible for expungement of the felony conviction without waiting the full 10 years in many cases. Many people who received a First Offender Pardon don't know they have one. Contact the Louisiana Board of Pardons to check your status or the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana for help.
What Can — and Can't — Be Expunged
ELIGIBLE FOR EXPUNGEMENT
- Arrests where charges were not filed — no waiting period
- Dismissed charges / nolle prosequi — no waiting period
- Acquittals — no waiting period, free if after trial
- Most misdemeanor convictions — after 5 years
- First offense marijuana possession misdemeanor — after 90 days
- Art. 894(B) deferred misdemeanor — immediately after set aside
- Art. 893(E) deferred felony / drug court — immediately after set aside
- Most eligible felony convictions — after 10 years
- First Offender Pardon recipients — expedited felony pathway
- Human trafficking victims — all waiting periods and fees waived
NOT ELIGIBLE FOR EXPUNGEMENT
- Domestic abuse battery — misdemeanor or felony
- Stalking convictions
- Sex offenses (most) — including any involving minors
- Most crimes of violence
- Most major drug felonies
- Any felony conviction during the 10-year waiting period
- Any misdemeanor conviction during the 5-year waiting period
- Pending criminal charges
Domestic abuse battery is permanently ineligible — misdemeanor and felony. This is one of the most common disqualifiers. If your conviction involves domestic abuse battery, expungement is not available under Louisiana law regardless of how much time has passed.
Waiting Periods
Waiting periods run from completion of the sentence — including all probation or parole. No felony convictions allowed during the misdemeanor waiting period; no felony or misdemeanor convictions allowed during the felony waiting period.
Arrest-only / dismissed / acquitted
No wait
First offense marijuana possession misdemeanor
90 days
Art. 894(B) / 893(E) deferred — set aside
Immediately
Misdemeanor conviction
5 years
Eligible felony conviction
10 years
How to File — Step by Step
Try the automated process first. Beginning January 1, 2025, you can submit a request to the Louisiana BCII online for automated expungement of eligible records back to 2006. If eligible, records are expunged within 30 days at no cost through this process. Check the BCII website before filing a traditional court petition.
1
Check the Automated Expungement System
Visit the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information at
lsp.org/bcii to submit an automated expungement request. Provide your name, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security number, arrest date, and case number. If eligible, records are expunged within 30 days. This covers eligible records from district courts going back to January 1, 2006.
2
If Filing a Traditional Petition — Get Your Louisiana Criminal History
Request your Louisiana criminal history from the Louisiana State Police at
lsp.org. A fingerprint-based background check is required for expungement petitions. Pay the $250 fee to the Louisiana State Police by money order. Review every arrest, charge, and conviction carefully.
3
Complete the Motion for Expungement Forms
Download expungement motion forms from the Louisiana Courts at
lasc.org or use the CLEAN JACKET mobile app from the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana to help prepare your forms. You can also use the JAC's guided form preparation service.
4
File in the Parish Court Where You Were Arrested or Convicted
File your motion for expungement in the district court of the parish where the arrest or conviction occurred. Pay the filing fees — up to $550 total maximum. Fees are collected by the clerk and distributed among the BCII, the sheriff, and the district attorney. Fees are non-refundable. Request an in forma pauperis (IFP) waiver if you cannot afford fees.
5
DA and Law Enforcement Review
The district attorney and law enforcement receive notice and have an opportunity to object. If no objection is filed, the court may grant the expungement without a hearing — called a "contradictory hearing." If the DA or law enforcement objects, a contradictory hearing is scheduled where you present evidence for why expungement should be granted.
6
Order Issued — Records Sealed
If granted, the court issues an expungement order. Records are sealed from public view and treated as confidential. You can legally deny the arrest or conviction on most employment and housing applications. Law enforcement and certain licensing agencies retain access. Keep a certified copy of your order.
Official Forms and Resources
Helpful Resources
FREE LEGAL HELP
Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana
Workshops, legal clinics, the CLEAN JACKET app, and expungement advocacy — leading Louisiana expungement resource
jaclouisiana.org →
FREE LEGAL HELP
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
Free civil legal help for low-income Louisianans in southeast Louisiana — including expungement assistance
slls.org →
FREE LEGAL HELP
Loyno Pro Bono Desk Manual
Comprehensive free guide to Louisiana expungement law for practitioners and self-represented individuals
probonodeskmanual.loyno.edu →
HOUSING, FOOD & BENEFITS
findhelp.org
Search thousands of free and reduced-cost programs for housing, food, work, and more in your area
findhelp.org →
JOB SEARCH HELP
American Job Centers
Free job search assistance, resume help, and training — including resources for people with records
careeronestop.org →
LAW UPDATES
Louisiana Legal Help
Free legal information for Louisianans — including current expungement eligibility guidance
louisianalawhelp.org →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new automated expungement system? +
Beginning January 1, 2025, Louisiana created an automated expungement process through the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (BCII). You submit your basic information online — name, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security number, arrest date, and case number. The BCII checks your eligibility against all records back to January 1, 2006. If eligible, your record is expunged within 30 days at no cost through this process. This runs alongside the traditional petition process — you can still file a court petition if the automated system doesn't cover your case.
What are Articles 894 and 893, and why do they matter? +
Articles 894(B) and 893(E) of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure are deferred sentence provisions. When a judge defers your sentence under these articles, they withhold the entry of conviction while you serve probation. If you successfully complete probation, the conviction is set aside and the prosecution is dismissed — making you immediately eligible for expungement with no waiting period. This is the fastest pathway to expungement in Louisiana. Check your sentencing documents or ask your former attorney whether you received a deferred sentence under one of these articles.
What is a First Offender Pardon and do I have one? +
Louisiana law grants an automatic First Offender Pardon to first-time felony offenders who complete their sentence without a subsequent conviction. Many people don't know they received one. This pardon creates a pathway to expungement of the felony conviction without necessarily waiting the full 10 years. Contact the Louisiana Board of Pardons and Paroles to check whether a First Offender Pardon was issued for your conviction, or contact the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana for help investigating your record.
How much does expungement cost in Louisiana? +
Louisiana caps the total cost at $550 for a court-ordered expungement. This includes a $250 processing fee to the BCII, and fees distributed between the sheriff and district attorney. Fees are collected at filing and are non-refundable even if the court denies the motion. People who cannot afford fees can file an in forma pauperis (IFP) motion to request a waiver. Victims of human trafficking and victims of identity theft whose records resulted from victimization are exempt from all fees. Acquittals after trial and certain other non-convictions are also free.
Can I deny the conviction after expungement? +
Yes — in most instances after expungement in Louisiana, you do not have to disclose the expunged arrest or conviction and you are not guilty of perjury if you deny it under oath or on an application. Exceptions exist for certain professional licensing boards, law enforcement employers, and other positions where disclosure may still be required. Expunged records remain available for certain criminal justice purposes and law enforcement access.
Do I need an attorney? +
Not required — the automated BCII system (for eligible records from 2006 forward), the CLEAN JACKET app from JAC, and the Loyno Pro Bono Desk Manual all provide free guidance. JAC hosts workshops and clinics across Louisiana. For cases involving objections from the district attorney, cases involving deferred sentences under Articles 893/894, or complex criminal histories, working with a Louisiana attorney significantly improves your outcome. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services offers free help for those who qualify.
After Your Record Is Expunged
After expungement in Louisiana, your record is sealed from public view and treated as confidential. In most situations you do not have to disclose it on employment, housing, or other applications.
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Employment
Expunged records are sealed and will not appear on most background checks. You do not have to disclose the expunged record on most private job applications. Louisiana law (R.S. § 23:291.2) also prohibits discrimination in hiring by public and private employers based on criminal history records. Law enforcement employers and certain licensed professions retain access to expunged records.
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Background Check Databases
Louisiana expungement seals records from state court and law enforcement systems — but private background check companies may still show old data. Keep your expungement order and dispute any records that still appear. The BCII notifies the Louisiana Supreme Court case management system and district courts when expungement is granted.
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Gun Rights
Louisiana expungement of eligible convictions may restore state firearms rights. Federal law applies independently — expungement of a felony does not automatically restore federal firearms rights. Consult a licensed Louisiana attorney before purchasing or possessing a firearm if you have any felony conviction history.
For general information about what changes after expungement — including housing, employment resources, and more — visit our After Expungement page.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Louisiana's expungement laws change nearly every year — always verify current requirements with your parish court clerk or a licensed attorney before filing.
