St. Louis Expungements Lawyers
Last updated on October 23, 2026
Being convicted of a crime can seem like a devastating blow after you and your attorney have collaborated on a strong defense. However, a criminal conviction does not need to be the end of the story. With a skilled and determined defense lawyer from KesslerWilliams on your side, you can explore ways to pursue post-conviction relief, such as:
- An appeal through the Missouri Court of Appeals, the Illinois Appellate Court or a higher court in either state
- A petition or request for expungement (clearing your public record of an arrest and/or conviction)
A frank discussion with one of our experienced, aggressive criminal defense attorneys can be a promising first step on your path to a hopeful, fresh start. Our lawyers are honest and direct about appropriate legal actions after a criminal conviction.
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Elements Of An Expungement Petition
In Missouri, you may file a petition for the expungement of an arrest record if you:
- Have no prior misdemeanor or felony conviction
- Believe it was an unjustified or false arrest, and no criminal charges will be filed as a result of the arrest
If you are convicted of a crime – even if you made a guilty plea before your conviction – you may file for the expungement of your criminal record three years after a felony conviction or one year after a misdemeanor conviction. For personalized legal advice about extraordinary circumstances pertaining to your opportunities in Missouri or Illinois, consult with one of our attorneys at KesslerWilliams.
Missouri Expungement Law: Eligibility, Exclusions And The Petition Process
A clean record can help you get a job, rent a home or earn a license, but Missouri sets firm rules on who may ask for one. RSMo § 610.140 controls when you can file, which offenses qualify and what the court must find. The following sections walk through each step:
Waiting Periods And Lifetime Caps
The clock starts when you finish your sentence, including any probation, rather than on the date of conviction. You must wait three years for an eligible felony and one year for a misdemeanor or city ordinance violation. During that time, you cannot pick up a new misdemeanor or felony conviction. Over your lifetime, Missouri allows you to clear no more than two felonies and three misdemeanors or ordinance violations that carry possible jail time. Offenses from the same course of conduct can share one petition and count once.
Excluded Offenses And Exceptions
Some convictions never qualify. The law excludes Class A felonies, dangerous felonies, crimes that require sex offender registration and felonies with death as an element. Domestic assault, felony kidnapping and any alcohol- or drug-related traffic or boating offense are also off-limits, along with a long list of other crimes. A few weapons offenses fall outside these exclusions, so we check your exact charge against the current law before we file. Questions about firearm rights restoration following felony expungement often depend on whether a state or federal court handled the case.
Filing Requirements And Court Hearings
You file the petition in the court where the charge or conviction took place. It must list every offense and name each agency that holds your records, such as police departments, prosecutors, courts and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. An agency left off the petition does not have to follow the order.
The prosecutor has 30 days to object. If an objection comes in, the court usually holds a hearing within 60 days. At that hearing, we present evidence that your habits and conduct pose no threat to public safety and that clearing your record serves justice. When you meet the other rules, the law presumes the court should grant your request, so the prosecutor must prove why it should not. With 30 years of criminal defense work behind them, our attorneys gather job records, letters and treatment history to back up your case.
What Types Of Convictions Can Be Expunged?
People in Missouri can expunge arrest or conviction records associated with misdemeanor and felony offenses from their criminal records. Many types of offenses are eligible for expungement, but some are not, including:
- Class A felony offenses for violent crimes or otherwise dangerous felonies
- Sex crimes where the defendant needs to register as a sex offender
- Domestic violence offenses
- Drunk driving offenses
A person may only expunge one felony and two misdemeanors in their lifetime.
Can I Own A Firearm Once A Felony Has Been Expunged?
When someone gets convicted of a felony in Missouri, they receive a lifetime ban from owning a firearm. However, some people may be able to restore their gun rights after successfully expunging their state-level felony charges. Those convicted of federal felony charges cannot get their gun rights back after expungement.
How Long Does An Expungement Take?
The expungement process can take at least 30 days up to six months to complete depending on the circumstances of each case. The longer ago the conviction was, the longer it takes to gather the records necessary to begin the process.
For Help With An Expungement Petition Or A Criminal Appeal
Get your post-conviction strategy underway. Reach out to us at our St. Louis law office.