Expungement of Criminal Records
in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Expungement is the legal process of removing or sealing a criminal record from public view. Once granted, the record is no longer accessible to most employers, landlords, and the general public under Mississippi Code § 99-19-71 and related statutes.

Eligibility depends on the charge and outcome. First-offense misdemeanors, one eligible felony after completion of sentence, and cases that were dismissed or resulted in not guilty verdicts may qualify. Crimes of violence, sex offenses, drug trafficking, and certain other felonies listed in § 99-19-71 are not eligible.

It depends on the charge. For a first-offense misdemeanor, the statute sets no waiting period, so you may be eligible right away. For an eligible felony, you must complete your sentence (including probation or parole), pay all fines and court costs, and then wait five years before filing.

Yes, in many cases. Section 99-19-71 allows one felony expungement in a lifetime, five years after you successfully complete your sentence. Some felonies can never be expunged, including crimes of violence, first-degree arson, drug trafficking, third or subsequent DUI, felon in possession of a firearm, and certain other listed offenses.

The process involves filing a petition with the court where the case was handled, giving the district attorney ten days' written notice before any hearing, and attending the hearing if the court sets one. If approved, the court orders the record to be expunged from public records.

Expungement removes the record from most public databases and background checks. However, certain government agencies (law enforcement, courts) may still have access for limited purposes. It does not destroy the original court file entirely.

Sometimes. For felonies, § 99-19-71 treats all convictions that arose from a common nucleus of operative facts, meaning the same incident, as one conviction, so one petition can cover them. Dismissed charges and not guilty verdicts can also be expunged. Separate, unrelated convictions are a different story and usually cannot all be cleared.

Yes. Once your record is expunged, most private employers and landlords will no longer see the charge on standard background checks. This significantly improves employment and housing opportunities.

A first-offense misdemeanor DUI can be expunged, but under its own statute, § 63-11-30(13), not the general expungement law. You must wait five years after completing your sentence, and strict conditions apply: you did not refuse the breath or blood test, your BAC was below .16, you did not hold a commercial license, and you have no other DUI. Third and subsequent DUI felonies can never be expunged. If your DUI case was dismissed or you were found not guilty, the arrest record can be expunged.

Court filing fees are usually modest. Attorney fees vary depending on the complexity and number of charges. We offer transparent pricing for expungement cases.

It gets harder. The misdemeanor expungement statute is written for first offenders, and Mississippi allows only one felony expungement in a lifetime. Multiple unrelated convictions can limit or block eligibility, so it is worth having an attorney map out exactly what your record shows before you file.

Expungement may restore certain rights, including firearm rights in some cases, but it depends on the original charge and federal law. We review this carefully during the consultation.

Generally, you must expunge the record in the state where the conviction occurred. Mississippi courts typically only handle Mississippi convictions.

The process usually takes several months from filing to final order, depending on court backlog and whether a hearing is required. We keep clients updated throughout.

Yes, but it is often complicated. Mistakes in the petition or process can lead to denial. Having an experienced attorney significantly increases the chances of success and avoids delays.