No — Maine does not allow sealing of any Class A, B, or C felony conviction, nor any Class D misdemeanor conviction (except qualifying pre-legalization marijuana offenses). There is also no true expungement available for any adult conviction in Maine. A Governor's pardon is the only pathway for felony and most misdemeanor convictions. A free-and-full pardon makes the record confidential — not erased. The Pardon Board process takes years and is discretionary. If you have a felony, consult a Maine criminal defense attorney about your options.

Yes — definitely. Maine's 2024 law (effective August 9, 2024) expanded eligibility by raising the age cap from 21 to 27. Previously, sealing was only available for Class E crimes committed between ages 18 and 21. Now it covers Class E crimes committed before age 28 — meaning anyone who committed a qualifying Class E offense before their 28th birthday may now be eligible. If you were rejected or told you didn't qualify under the old law due to age, check whether your offense qualifies under the current law.

Class E is Maine's lowest crime classification — a misdemeanor carrying a maximum sentence of 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Examples include Driving to Endanger, Theft of property under $500, minor drug possession, and similar low-level offenses. Class E is the only conviction level eligible for sealing in Maine under most circumstances. Class D misdemeanors and above (Classes A, B, C, D) are not sealable — except for qualifying pre-legalization marijuana Class D convictions.

No — and this is important to understand. Sealing in Maine limits public access but does not destroy or erase the record. After sealing, you can respond to most third-party inquiries — employers, landlords, lenders, schools — as if the conviction had not occurred. However, the record remains accessible to law enforcement, courts, criminal justice agencies, professional licensing agencies, and financial institutions for employment purposes. Maine does not have true expungement for adult records. The only way to make a record completely confidential is through a free-and-full Governor's pardon — which also does not erase, but does classify the record as confidential.

Possibly — the 2024 law specifically authorized sealing of certain Class D and E marijuana convictions obtained before January 30, 2017 (the date Maine legalized recreational marijuana). This covers marijuana cultivation, possession, and related offenses at the Class D or E level committed before legalization. The same 4-year waiting period and clean record requirements apply. There is no age restriction for the marijuana sealing pathway. Check the Maine Courts sealing page for the specific list of eligible marijuana offenses.

Not required — the Maine courts provide Form CR-218 and detailed instructions, and the $5 filing fee is waivable. For straightforward Class E sealing, many people file successfully on their own. However, Maine's record relief law is unusually restrictive — if you have a Class D or higher conviction, a felony, or an OUI, the options are very limited and navigating the pardon process benefits greatly from legal help. Pine Tree Legal Assistance and the Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project provide free help for those who qualify.