About Clean Slate Guide
Clean Slate Guide exists to help the 70 million Americans with a criminal record understand their options for expungement and record sealing — in plain English, for free.
Why We Built This
Most people with a criminal record don't know they may be eligible to have it expunged or sealed. The information that exists is buried in legalese, scattered across court websites, or locked behind attorney consultation fees. We think that's wrong.
A criminal record follows people for life — affecting employment, housing, education, and opportunity. For many people, expungement is a legitimate path to a fresh start. We want to make that path accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.
The criminal justice reform movement has led to significant changes in expungement law across the country. Over a dozen states have passed Clean Slate laws that automatically seal certain records. Many more have expanded eligibility and shortened waiting periods. But these changes only help people who know about them. That's where we come in.
What We Provide
- State-specific guides to expungement and record sealing in all 50 states, including waiting periods, eligible offenses, filing costs, and step-by-step instructions
- Plain-language explanations of complex legal concepts with no jargon — written for real people, not lawyers
- An eligibility screening tool to help you quickly understand whether expungement may be an option in your state
- In-depth articles covering specific topics like juvenile records, DUI expungement, immigration consequences, gun rights, professional licensing, housing, and more
- Second chance employer resources — a curated list of 100+ companies that hire people with criminal records
- Attorney connections for those who want professional help navigating the process
Our Editorial Standards
We take accuracy seriously. Our content is:
- Researched from primary sources — state statutes, court rules, and government publications
- Regularly updated — laws change frequently and we update our guides to reflect current rules
- Reviewed for accuracy — we fact-check eligibility requirements, waiting periods, and filing procedures
- Clearly sourced — when we reference specific laws or rules, we link to the source
If you find information that is incorrect or outdated, please let us know. We take corrections seriously and update our content promptly.
Who We Are
Clean Slate Guide is an independent educational resource. We are not a law firm, government agency, or nonprofit organization. We are a small team that believes everyone deserves access to clear, accurate information about their legal rights.
How We're Supported
Clean Slate Guide is free to use. We are supported through:
- Attorney referrals: When we connect visitors with attorneys, we may receive a referral fee. This does not affect the information we provide or the cost to you.
- Advertising: We may display relevant advertisements on our pages.
Our editorial content is independent of any advertising or referral relationships. We recommend attorneys and services based on quality and relevance, not compensation.
Our Commitment to You
- We will always provide our core information for free
- We will clearly distinguish between general information and legal advice (we provide the former)
- We will not sell your personal information
- We will keep our content current as laws change
- We will be transparent about how we're supported
Contact Us
Found incorrect or missing information? We want to hear about it. Visit our contact page to report issues or suggest improvements.
For legal questions about your specific situation, please consult an attorney.