How much does it cost to expunge your record?
How much does it cost to expunge your record?
$900 – $1,500 average cost
Average expungement cost
An expungement costs $900 to $1,500 on average, including the cost of a lawyer, court filing fees, law enforcement fees, and expenses for additional services like fingerprinting. The cost to expunge your record depends on state regulations, the crime being expunged, and the complexity of your case.
| Factor | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Expungement lawyer hourly rate | $150 – $400 per hour |
| Court fees | $150 – $400 |
| Law enforcement fees | $50 – $100 |
| Additional fees (fingerprinting; certified documents) |
$25 – $100 |
| Total average cost | $900 – $1,500 (may be charged as a flat fee) |
What affects the cost to expunge your record?
Expungement costs and requirements vary by state. Your total costs will also depend on if you hire a lawyer to handle your case or file the petition yourself. Keep these factors in mind:
Lawyer: Some lawyers charge a flat fee ranging from $900 to $1,500 for expungement cases. This flat fee typically includes court filing fees, law enforcement fees, and the cost of additional services like fingerprinting. Other lawyers charge $150 to $400 per hour instead of a flat fee.
Court fees: You'll need to pay $150 to $400 in court fees to process your expungement application or petition.
Law enforcement fees: Some state law enforcement departments also charge a separate fee of $50 to $100 to verify that your record is eligible for expungement and to update their database if your expungement case is successful.
Additional fees: For some cases, you'll need to pay extra fees ranging from $25 to $100 for fingerprint processing and certified copies of your documents.
What is expungement?
What does "expunged" mean?
Expungement is a legal process that destroys the records of your involvement in a criminal case, hiding it from public view. In some states, all records of your involvement in the criminal case are destroyed. In other states, the details are hidden from public view and background checks but still accessible to law enforcement officials.
After your record is expunged, you may legally answer "No" when asked if you have ever been convicted of a crime.
An expungement order removes the records of your involvement from court documents and police blotters, but it does not remove records from the press or internet sources like social media.
What crimes can be expunged?
Each state has its own laws dictating which crimes can be expunged. You may be able to get a crime expunged from your record in these scenarios:
Your charge was dropped or dismissed.
You were arrested but not charged with a crime.
You were acquitted (found not guilty).
You committed a misdemeanor or non-violent crime as a minor.
Convictions are the least likely to be eligible for expungement. In some states, a misdemeanor conviction can be expunged, though many states require a waiting period of several years first. Felony convictions are the most difficult to expunge, and several states do not allow it.
Can a felony be expunged?
Some states will not expunge any felony convictions. In other states, only a handful of non-violent felonies are eligible for expungement. Even in states with generous expungement laws, some crimes typically can't be expunged, including:
Murder
Rape
Arson
Assault with a deadly weapon that causes serious injury
Sexual misconduct involving a minor
Driving under the influence (DUI)
In addition, many states have waiting periods of 5 to 10 years before crimes involving domestic violence, assault, battery, burglary, or theft may be expunged.
Only state criminal convictions are eligible for expungement. You can't expunge a federal criminal conviction.
How long does expungement take?
The expungement process takes 60 to 180 days, depending on the state. After the court issues an expungement order, it can take an additional 60 to 90 days for law enforcement agencies in the state to receive the order and delete your records from their databases.
It's also important to remember expungement is not automatic—the process does not begin until the court receives your completed expungement application or petition.
Can you get an eviction expunged?
In most states, you can get an eviction expunged if your case meets certain requirements, like:
The property was in foreclosure before the landlord filed for an eviction.
A judge determines the eviction was retaliatory or discriminatory.
You won the eviction case.
The landlord's eviction filing contained legal or factual errors.
Depending on the state, your eviction may also be eligible for expungement if you have met all the legal and financial requirements to settle the case.
Questions to ask a lawyer about expungement
Hiring an attorney who specializes in expungement can greatly improve your chances of success. Ask these questions to ensure you hire the best lawyer near you:
How long have you been practicing law?
How many successful expungement cases have you worked on?
Is my record eligible for expungement?
If my record is expunged, will anyone still be able to see it? If yes, who?
How long will the expungement take?
If expungement isn't possible, are there other ways to restrict my record from public view?
What is your fee for an expungement case?
Are there any other fees or expenses I'll need to pay?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.