Expungements

On average, an expungement in Louisiana takes three to six months from start to finish. The timeline depends on the court where your case was originally handled (Criminal District, Municipal, or Traffic Court), how quickly the state police process the background check, and whether there are any objections from law enforcement or the prosecutor’s office. At Smith & Bloom, we monitor every step of the process to reduce unnecessary delays and ensure that the paperwork is filed correctly the first time.

An expungement in Louisiana does not completely erase or destroy your record. Instead, it removes it from public access, which means employers, landlords, schools, and licensing boards conducting background checks will not see the expunged case. However, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and certain government agencies will still have access to your sealed record. For most clients, the practical effect is the same as having a clean record — you can apply for jobs, housing, and opportunities without an old charge standing in your way.

Yes, in many cases multiple charges can be included in a single expungement petition. This often saves both time and money, since you don’t need to file multiple petitions for each eligible case. However, eligibility rules apply differently depending on whether the charges were felonies, misdemeanors, or arrests that did not result in convictions. Our attorneys review your entire criminal history to determine the best strategy for clearing as many records as possible in one filing.

No. While many misdemeanors and some felonies can be expunged after certain waiting periods, serious crimes such as violent felonies, sex offenses, and crimes against minors are generally not eligible. For misdemeanors, the waiting period is typically five years after completing your sentence or probation. For felonies, the waiting period can be 10 years or longer, and only certain felonies qualify. The rules are complex, but our team can review your case and explain exactly what can and cannot be cleared.

Technically, individuals can file their own expungement petitions in Louisiana, but the process is complicated, requires multiple filings in different agencies, and is often rejected if a single mistake is made. For example, petitions must be properly filed with the court where the case originated, copies must be sent to the District Attorney and law enforcement agencies, and the State Police must certify the background check. At Smith & Bloom, we have a system in place that ensures everything is filed correctly and tracked until completion, saving clients months of frustration and delays.