Expungements

The Bureau is responsible for processing court-ordered expungements that require modification of criminal history records. Court orders require that a criminal arrest and conviction record be removed from access except as stated in LA Code of Criminal Procedure (La. CCrP) Article 973. The processing of expungements is a complex procedure, requiring extensive man-hours.

To begin the expungement process, forms and required documentation must be filed with the clerk of court in the parish of arrest/conviction.

Motion to expunge common problems:

• • The date maintained in the Louisiana State Rap sheet (criminal history record) is the date the arresting/booking agency collected the fingerprints. The expungement form must reflect this date for the record to be correctly identified.
  • The original charge at the time of arrest should be placed on the motion to expunge, even if it was amended or billed with a different charge.
  • If you were booked or convicted of more than one count, all counts should be included in the motion to expunge.
  • Misdemeanor convictions must be placed in the misdemeanor conviction section.
  • Felony convictions must be placed in the felony conviction section.
  • All required documents should be submitted with the motion to expunge (dispositions, district attorney certifications, and fee waivers if eligible).
  • Why are you eligible to have this charge expunged? Choose the proper selection on the Motion for Expungement indicating the reason for expungement.

Fees:

• • A money order in the amount of $250 made out to the Louisiana State Police (LSP). LSP will not accept money orders that have been altered. If you purchase a money order that is good for 3-6 months, the money order may be expired by the time it is received by LSP and will not be accepted. LSP recommends purchasing money orders that are valid for at least one year.
  • If applicable, the Fee Waiver form from the District Attorney should be attached to the submitted Expungement packet.
  • You are ineligible for a fee waiver if you have ever been convicted of a felony offense; this includes previously expunged felonies. (LA Code of Criminal Procedure Article 983 (F))

Order

• • The order to expunge should be filled out completely. An order that is not completed with personal identifying information and arrest date will not be able to be processed.
  • If you amend your motion for any reason, make certain the order is amended if applicable.

Louisiana Laws that Govern Expungement of Criminal History 

View Title XXXIV.  Expungement of Records

Forms pertaining to an expungement: Art. 986. Forms for the expungement of records