Louisiana Expungement
Louisiana Expungement Attorney — Flat-Fee Record Clearing
Louisiana's expungement framework under Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971 through 995 and R.S. 44:9 provides pathways to clear arrest records and many conviction records, including a new automated expungement system launched in 2025. Rather than paying a Louisiana expungement attorney unpredictable hourly fees, Fresh Start coordinates expungement filings statewide at a flat $10,000 per record — covering petition preparation, court filing, and post-order compliance — with financing available.
Quick Answer
Louisiana allows expungement of eligible criminal records under La. C.Cr.P. art. 971-995; La. R.S. 44:9. The typical timeframe is 3–6 months from filing to court order. Eligibility depends on conviction type, completion of sentence, and waiting period requirements. Fresh Start Expungement coordinates the filing process at a flat fee of $10,000 per record.
Who Qualifies in Louisiana
Eligibility Requirements
Each case is evaluated individually. The criteria below reflect the general statutory requirements. Your case will be reviewed in detail before any filing.
For arrests that did not result in a conviction (dismissed, nolle prossed, or acquitted), you may petition for expungement immediately or use the automated system through the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, which launched January 1, 2025.
Misdemeanor convictions are eligible for expungement after a waiting period that varies by offense, generally five years from completion of sentence for most misdemeanors, with the requirement that you have no other felony convictions during that period and have satisfied all financial obligations to the court.
Felony convictions that are not crimes of violence under La. R.S. 14:2(B) may be eligible for expungement after ten years from completion of sentence, provided you have not been convicted of any other felony during the waiting period and have paid all fines, fees, and restitution.
First-offense DWI convictions may be eligible for expungement after ten years from completion of sentence, provided you have no subsequent DWI arrest and have completed all court-ordered conditions including substance abuse programs.
You must have no pending criminal charges at the time of filing, and you must not be on probation, parole, or any form of supervised release for any offense at the time the petition is submitted to the court.
Louisiana's automated expungement process applies to qualifying arrests and certain misdemeanor convictions; for convictions that do not qualify for automated processing, a traditional petition must be filed in the parish where the arrest or conviction occurred.
Important exceptions: Louisiana permanently excludes certain offenses from expungement. Crimes of violence as defined in La. R.S. 14:2(B) — a broad category that includes murder, manslaughter, rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and numerous other offenses — cannot be expunged regardless of time elapsed. Sex offenses requiring registration as a sex offender are categorically ineligible. Domestic abuse battery convictions are excluded from relief. Convictions for distribution or manufacture of controlled dangerous substances (as opposed to simple possession) are generally ineligible, though certain first-offense possession convictions under specific circumstances may qualify. Additionally, if you have more than one felony conviction on your record, the eligibility analysis becomes significantly more complex and certain combinations of convictions may disqualify you from relief entirely.
How It Works
The Louisiana Process
We pull your complete Louisiana criminal history from the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information and review each entry against the eligibility criteria of Articles 971-995 and R.S. 44:9, determining which records qualify for automated processing and which require a traditional court petition.
For records requiring a petition, we prepare and file the motion to expunge in the district court of the parish where the arrest or conviction occurred, serve all required parties including the district attorney and the arresting agency, and pay the applicable filing fees and processing fees on your behalf (billed at cost in addition to the service fee).
After the court grants the expungement order, we monitor compliance by the Louisiana State Police, the clerk of court, and all other agencies identified in the order; once all agencies confirm destruction or removal of the records from public access, we provide written confirmation that the expungement is complete.
Typical Timeframe
3–6 Months
Legal Reference
Governing Statute
The primary legal authority governing expungement in Louisiana is La. C.Cr.P. art. 971-995; La. R.S. 44:9. This page was last reviewed on May 1, 2025.
State laws change. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana for guidance specific to your case. Fresh Start Expungement provides document preparation services, not legal representation.
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Expungement in Other States
California
Looking for a California expungement attorney? Fresh Start offers flat-fee expungement filing at $10,000 per record. Free eligibility check, no hourly billing.
Texas
Looking for a Texas expungement attorney? Fresh Start offers flat-fee expunction and nondisclosure filing at $10,000 per record. Free eligibility check.
Florida
Looking for a Florida expungement attorney? Fresh Start offers flat-fee record sealing and expungement filing at $10,000 per record. Free eligibility check.
New York
New York offers sealing of up to 2 convictions under CPL § 160.59 after a 10-year clean period. Learn eligibility and timelines (6–18 months).
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About this service
Fresh Start Expungement is a record-clearing services provider, not a law firm. We coordinate document preparation and filing for individuals seeking expungement. We do not provide legal advice or attorney representation. Complex or contested matters may require independent legal counsel.
Results disclosure
Results are not guaranteed. Eligibility and outcomes depend on state law, conviction type, court approval, and individual case circumstances. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
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