Mississippi-Record-Relief

A misdemeanor conviction may be expunged for a “first offender” upon completion of sentence. After a 5-year waiting period, a single felony conviction (defined to include multiple convictions arising from the same operative facts) may be expunged, but 10 listed serious felonies are ineligible.  Expungement is also available through the state intervention court system (substance abuse, mental health, veterans).  Victims of human trafficking convicted under the Mississippi Human Trafficking Act may petition the court to vacate their convictions. There is no statutory authority to seal or expunge pardoned convictions. Non-conviction records are eligible for immediate expungement upon petition, including uncharged arrests, charges dropped, charges dismissed after deferred adjudication, and acquittals.  A person whose conviction was expunged need not report it, but an employer is not prohibited from asking the person about it.  Juvenile records are generally confidential; they may be sealed when the person reaches the age of 20 or if the case was dismissed or set-aside.  The judge also has authority to order destruction of juvenile records.