Ohio Expungement
Ohio Expungement Attorney — Flat-Fee Record Clearing
Ohio's primary record relief remedy is sealing rather than expungement, and the distinction matters in a practical sense: a sealed record in Ohio is not destroyed but is placed out of reach of most employers, landlords, and the general public, while remaining accessible to law enforcement, courts, prosecutors, and certain licensing authorities. The governing statute is Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32, and Ohio has expanded eligibility meaningfully through several legislative cycles. The "New Leaf" Act passed in 2023 significantly broadened the list of offenses that can be sealed and the number of convictions a person may have sealed in a lifetime. If you were previously told your conviction could not be sealed under older Ohio law, it is worth re-evaluating your eligibility under the current statute.
Quick Answer
Ohio allows expungement of eligible criminal records under Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.32 (Sealing of Conviction Records); Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.52 (Sealing of Non-Conviction Records). 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 Ohio
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.
Arrests that did not result in conviction — including cases where charges were dismissed, you were found not guilty, or no charges were ever filed — are eligible for sealing under Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.52 without a waiting period.
For sealed convictions under § 2953.32, you are eligible to apply if you have not more than five felony convictions and any number of misdemeanor convictions, subject to the offense-level restrictions described below.
The waiting period after final discharge depends on the level of conviction: one year for misdemeanors; one year for fourth-degree and fifth-degree felonies; three years for third-degree felonies (with additional restrictions on how many you may have); and varying periods for eligible second-degree felonies under the expanded New Leaf provisions.
You must be a first, second, third, or fourth-time offender as defined in the statute, with the number of permissible prior convictions varying based on the felony degree of the offense you are seeking to seal.
You must have no pending criminal charges at the time of application, must have paid all court costs, fines, and restitution ordered in connection with the conviction you seek to seal, and your most recent discharge from the conviction must be complete.
Ohio's sealing statute operates differently for misdemeanor versus felony convictions, and the court retains broad discretion to weigh your interests against the government's legitimate need to maintain the record — meaning a technically eligible application is not automatically granted.
Important exceptions: Ohio law contains categorical exclusions that remain firm regardless of how much time has passed or how compelling the applicant's rehabilitation story may be. First-degree and second-degree felony convictions are generally ineligible for sealing under the standard provisions of § 2953.32, though the New Leaf Act created a narrow pathway for certain second-degree felonies. Convictions for any offense of violence as defined in O.R.C. § 2901.01, rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, public indecency, and any felony offense against a child are permanently excluded. Convictions for offenses that carry a mandatory prison term are also generally excluded. Ohio uses "sealing" as its primary mechanism, not expungement, and sealed records in Ohio are explicitly available to law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and licensing bodies — they are not treated as nonexistent for all purposes.
How It Works
The Ohio Process
We obtain your Ohio court records and conduct a detailed review under O.R.C. § 2953.32 and § 2953.52, determining which convictions are eligible for sealing, confirming that all fines and court costs have been paid, and calculating whether the applicable waiting period has been satisfied.
We file your application for sealing with the court of common pleas in the county of conviction, and the prosecutor's office has 60 days to file an objection; if no objection is filed, the court may grant relief on the papers, but if an objection is lodged, the court schedules an oral hearing at which we present evidence of your rehabilitation and argue that your interest in sealing outweighs the government's interest in maintaining public access.
After the sealing order is entered, we transmit it to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for updating the state criminal history repository, serve it on the arresting agency and the clerk of courts, and advise you on how Ohio's sealing statute affects your right to answer questions about the sealed conviction on employment, housing, and licensing applications.
Typical Timeframe
3–6 Months
Legal Reference
Governing Statute
The primary legal authority governing expungement in Ohio is Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.32 (Sealing of Conviction Records); Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.52 (Sealing of Non-Conviction Records). This page was last reviewed on January 15, 2025.
State laws change. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Ohio for guidance specific to your case. Fresh Start Expungement provides document preparation services, not legal representation.
Related Reading
More on Ohio Expungement
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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