How the New Missouri Expungement Law Can Clear A Criminal Record in 2025

A criminal record can follow a person for years, creating barriers to employment, housing, education, and financial opportunities. But since January 1, 2025, significant changes to Missouri’s expungement laws have made it easier and faster for many individuals to clear records and move forward with their lives.

These changes, part of a larger criminal justice reform package, represent the most substantial overhaul of Missouri’s expungement system in years. At Rose Legal Services, our attorneys have assisted many individuals with the expungement process, and we are prepared to help clients understand and pursue these important new provisions.

What Is Expungement?

Expungement is the legal process of sealing criminal records from public view. Once a record is expunged, it’s no longer accessible through standard background checks. Many such records are required to be destroyed or deleted. And in most circumstances, a person can legally answer “no” when asked about these records on job applications, housing forms, loan applications, and other documents.

Expungement effectively gives an individual a clean slate in the eyes of employers, landlords, and the general public.

Major Changes to Missouri’s Expungement Laws in 2025

Shorter Waiting Periods

One of the most significant changes reduces the waiting periods before a person can apply for expungement:

• Felony convictions: Waiting period reduced from 7 years to 3 years after completion of the sentence
• Misdemeanors and infractions: Waiting period reduced from 3 years to 1 year after completion of the sentence
• Arrests without charges: Waiting period reduced from 3 years to 18 months from the date of arrest

These shorter waiting periods mean a record can be cleared much sooner, allowing individuals to move forward without the burden of a criminal record.

Increased Expungement Limits

The new law also increases the number of offenses a person may expunge over a lifetime:

• Felony convictions: Up to 2 felonies can now be expunged (increased from 1)
• Misdemeanor convictions: Up to 3 misdemeanors can now be expunged (increased from 2)
• Infractions: No limit on the number of infractions that can be expunged

This expanded capacity means more people with multiple offenses can benefit from expungement.

Related Charges Can Be Expunged Together

Under the law, multiple charges arising from the same criminal incident can be grouped together and expunged as a single unit. For example, if a person was charged with both possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia in a single incident, these related charges may now be expunged together, counting as only one expungement against the lifetime limit.

Greater Judicial Discretion

The new law gives judges more flexibility when considering expungement petitions:

• Courts are no longer required to make determinations based solely on victim testimony
• Judges can now weigh the “continuing impact” of the crime against the presumption that expungement is warranted
• This balanced approach ensures both victim concerns and rehabilitation efforts are considered

Full Restoration of Status

The law now explicitly provides that once a record is expunged, the individual is fully restored to the legal status held before the arrest, plea, trial, or conviction. This means:

• A person can legally answer “no” when asked about expunged arrests or convictions on job applications
• Employers cannot use expunged records against an individual in hiring decisions
• Housing applications cannot be denied based on expunged records

What Offenses Cannot Be Expunged?

While the new law expands expungement opportunities, certain serious offenses remain ineligible. The 2025 update adds four specific crimes to the list of offenses that cannot be expunged:

1. Sexual conduct with a nursing facility resident in the second degree
2. Use of a child in sexual performance
3. Promoting sexual performance of a child
4. Cross burning

These are in addition to previously ineligible offenses, which include:

• Most violent felonies
• Any offense requiring sex offender registration
• Domestic violence offenses
• Any offense involving death
• Kidnapping
• Class A felonies
• Driving while intoxicated (DWI) (which has its own separate expungement statute)
• Driving with excessive blood alcohol content (BAC)

How the Expungement Process Works

Despite the changes to eligibility and waiting periods, the basic expungement process remains the same:

1. File a petition with the court where the person was charged or found guilty
2. The petition must include all offenses a person wants expunged and all entities that may have access to those records
3. The court notifies the prosecutor and other parties who may have records, who have 30 days to file an objection
4. If there’s an objection, a hearing is scheduled within 60 days
5. If there’s no objection, the judge reviews the case and may or may not require a hearing
6. If approved, the records are now sealed from public view

The new law also requires courts to notify eligible individuals about expungement opportunities when they complete their sentences, ensuring more people are aware of this option.

Benefits of Expungement

Having a record expunged can be life-changing in numerous ways:

• Employment opportunities: Many employers run background checks and may reject applicants with criminal records
• Housing access: Landlords often screen for criminal history and may deny housing to those with records
• Educational opportunities: Some academic programs and financial aid options are restricted for those with criminal histories
• Professional licensing: Many licenses and certifications have character requirements that may exclude those with criminal records
• Restored civil rights: Certain civil rights may be restored after expungement
• Peace of mind: The psychological benefit of moving beyond past mistakes cannot be overstated

The new law also provides employers with immunity from liability for any claims arising from misconduct related to an expunged portion of an employee’s criminal history, encouraging employers to hire qualified candidates with expunged records.

How Rose Legal Services Can Help With Your Expungement

At Rose Legal Services, we have helped hundreds of clients expunge their records, so all of our attorneys are very experienced and well-trained in this type of case. Our team understands the expungement process and has been working with the new law since it took effect.

We can help you:

• Determine your eligibility under the current law
• Calculate your waiting period based on your specific situation
• Prepare and file your petition with all required information
• Represent you at any hearings if objections are filed
• Ensure all records are properly sealed once expungement is granted

Our team approach brings multiple perspectives to your case, with attorneys, staff members, and legal assistants working collaboratively to build the strongest possible petition for your specific situation.

Don’t Wait to Clear Your Record

The new expungement law has been in effect since January 1, 2025, making now the perfect time to take advantage of these expanded opportunities to clear your record. Many Missourians who weren’t eligible under the old law may now qualify for expungement, and those who faced long waiting periods may now be able to apply immediately.

By consulting with an attorney today, you can:

1. Determine if you’re eligible under the new provisions
2. Gather necessary documentation about your case
3. Address any outstanding issues that might impact your petition
4. Start the expungement process right away

We offer free consultations for individuals who don’t currently have an attorney or who are represented by a public defender. During this consultation, we’ll evaluate your eligibility for expungement under the current law.

Contact Rose Legal Services Today

If you have a criminal record in Missouri, the 2025 expungement law changes that took effect in January could be your opportunity for a fresh start. Contact Rose Legal Services today to learn how we can help you expunge your record.

Our experienced criminal defense attorneys understand how a criminal record can impact your life, and we’re committed to helping good people get a second chance. Your defense starts with a conversation.