Expunge Your Mississippi Criminal Record

Obtain your Mississippi criminal history

Request a criminal history record from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Criminal Information Center. This costs $25 and shows all charges, case numbers, and dispositions. You need this to identify which cases are eligible.

Prepare the petition for expungement

Draft a Petition for Expungement addressed to the Circuit Court for the county where the conviction occurred (or where the charges were filed, for non-convictions). The petition must include: your full name, date of birth, case number, nature of the charge, date of conviction or dismissal, and a statement of grounds for relief under § 99-19-71.

File in Circuit Court

File the petition with the Circuit Court Clerk. Filing fees vary by county but are typically $50–100. In some counties, you must also pay a $50 fee to the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol for record purging.

Serve the District Attorney

Serve a copy of the petition on the District Attorney for the circuit district where the case was prosecuted. The DA has 30 days to respond. For non-conviction expungements, the DA may consent; for conviction expungements, the DA may object.

Hearing

The Circuit Court schedules a hearing. For non-contested petitions, the hearing is typically brief. Bring evidence of your rehabilitation: employment, completion of probation, community service, and character references. For felony petitions especially, the strength of your rehabilitation showing matters significantly.

Order entered and records purged

The Circuit Court enters an Order of Expungement. Copies are sent to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Department of Public Safety, and all relevant courts and law enforcement agencies. You may then lawfully deny the conviction in most employment and civil contexts.