Expungement News & Updates
Follow the latest state and federal policy changes affecting criminal record clearing, background checks, and second chances.
Delaware's Clean Slate Law Delayed: Thousands Left Waiting as Implementation Stalls
Delaware's ambitious automatic record-clearing law was supposed to seal hundreds of thousands of criminal records automatically. Instead, a combination of technical failures and staffing shortfalls has pushed full implementation into 2027, leaving eligible people in limbo.
Marijuana Conviction Expungement Wave: What Federal Rescheduling Means for Your Record
Federal marijuana rescheduling and state-level legalization are driving mass expungement efforts for old cannabis convictions. Here's what it means for people with marijuana records.
Expungement Processing Times: Why Some States Take 12 Months and How to Speed Yours
Courts are overwhelmed with expungement petitions as record clearing laws expand. Which states have the longest backlogs and what filing strategies actually work.
Second Chance Laws Go Mainstream: Employment, Housing, and Licensing Gains
Ban the box, clean slate, and certificate of rehabilitation laws are expanding across states. A look at the real-world impact on job applications and housing for people with criminal records.
The Rise of AI Background Checks — And Why Expunged Records May Still Surface
Even after your record is expunged, AI-powered background check services sometimes surface old convictions. Here's why it happens and what states are doing about it.
Automatic Expungement Expands: Which Crimes Are Being Cleared in 2026
Multiple states are expanding automatic expungement laws in 2026, clearing marijuana convictions, old felonies, and non-violent offenses without beneficiaries having to file. Here's what's covered and
Oklahoma's Criminal Justice Overhaul Offers a Model for Automatic Record Clearance and Rehabilitation Pathways
Oklahoma has quietly assembled one of the most comprehensive criminal justice reform packages in the country, combining automatic expungement, expanded medical parole, and improved good-time credit policies — changes advocates say are finally beginning to show measurable results.
Courts Are Starting to Clear Criminal Records on Their Own — Without Anyone Asking
An increasing number of state courts are beginning to proactively identify and seal eligible criminal records without waiting for people to file petitions, shifting the role of the courts from passive processors to active participants in record clearing.
Automatic Expungement Goes Mainstream: How States Are Rewriting the Rules on Record Clearing
From Michigan's 1.6 million cleared records to Missouri's pending automatic expungement bill, the movement to clear criminal records without requiring people to navigate a complex legal process has reached a tipping point across the United States.
Michigan's Clean Slate Law Reaches 1.6 Million Records Cleared — What the Milestone Tells Us
Michigan's automatic expungement law has now cleared nearly 1.6 million criminal records since taking effect, making it one of the most expansive implementations of automatic record clearing in the country and a case study in both what's working and what still needs fixing.
The Gap Between a Clean Record and a Fair Shot: Employment and Housing Barriers Persist After Automatic Expungement
Even as more states pass automatic record clearing laws, advocates are documenting a stubborn reality — many people whose records are technically sealed still face discrimination in employment and housing, because background check companies and landlords are not always following the law.
Delaware Moves to Accelerate Automated Record Clearing After Public Criticism
Delaware officials have announced plans to speed up the state's automated criminal record clearing process following criticism from advocates who said eligible residents were waiting years for records to be sealed without any action on their part.
Missouri Bill Would Automate Expungement for Drug Offenses, Bypassing the Petition Process Entirely
A bill heading to Missouri's governor would make the state the latest to adopt automatic record clearing for certain drug convictions, eliminating the petition requirement that advocates say leaves many eligible records uncleared because people do not know how to navigate the process.
Missouri Bill Would Automatically Expunge Eligible Drug Offenses — No Petition Required
Legislation awaiting the governor's signature would make Missouri the latest state to adopt automatic record clearing for certain drug convictions, bypassing the petition process that keeps many eligible records sealed.
Courts Are Now Searching for People Eligible for Record Clearing — Before Anyone Files a Petition
Courts across the country are independently running case searches to identify and clear eligible criminal records, a shift advocates say could close the gap between people who qualify for expungement and those who never apply.
Record Cleared — But Still Cannot Get Hired: The Persistent Employment Gap After Expungement
Across states that have passed some of the most aggressive automatic expungement laws in the country, researchers and advocates are documenting a troubling pattern: clearing a record does not reliably translate into getting a job.
Delaware Speeds Up Automated Criminal Record Clearing, Setting a New Model for Mid-Sized States
Delaware has moved to accelerate its automated record-clearing process following public criticism about delays, in a development that criminal justice advocates say could reshape how courts across the country handle second-chance policies.
Even With Expunged or Sealed Records, Many Employers Still Ask About Criminal History — Know Your Rights
As automatic record-clearing laws have expanded across the country, a persistent gap has emerged: sealed and expunged records do not always disappear from employer background checks, and job seekers need to understand what protections exist and where the gaps remain.
Courts Are Now Clearing Criminal Records Without Anyone Filing a Petition
Across the country, court systems are independently implementing automated record-sealing programs that identify eligible cases and clear them — without requiring the person with the record to navigate a legal process or hire an attorney.
Courts Are Starting to Clear Records Automatically — Without Anyone Filing a Petition
While state legislatures pass clean slate laws, court systems are increasingly taking matters into their own hands, running automated case searches and sealing records without requiring people to navigate a legal process.
Automatic Expungement Is Reaching Into New Territory — and That Changes Everything for People With Records
While early clean slate laws focused on low-level marijuana offenses, the automatic expungement wave in 2026 is reaching into theft, assault, and other categories that were historically left out of record-clearing reforms.
Missouri Bill Would Automatically Clear Drug Offense Records Without Requiring People to File a Thing
A bill heading to Missouri's governor would establish automatic expungement for a wide range of drug possession and related convictions, potentially clearing thousands of records without requiring any action from the person convicted.
Oklahoma's 2026 Criminal Justice Reforms Put Automatic Expungement at the Center of Second-Chance Policy
Oklahoma has enacted a sweeping set of criminal justice reforms for 2026, combining automatic record expungement, easier medical parole, and improved good-time credits into what advocates are calling one of the most comprehensive second-chance packages in the country.
Michigan's Clean Slate Law Clears Nearly 1.6 Million Criminal Records, Setting a National Template for Automatic Expungement
Michigan's automatic expungement law has erased the records of nearly 1.6 million people since taking effect, making it one of the most expansive record-clearing programs in the country and a model that other states are actively studying.
Automatic Expungement Is Spreading Beyond Marijuana — and That Matters
While early clean slate laws focused on cannabis convictions, the automatic expungement wave in 2026 is reaching into theft, assault, and other offense categories that historically were left out.
Missouri Bill Would Automatically Clear Drug Offense Records — Without Requiring People to File a Thing
A bill heading to Missouri's governor would establish automatic expungement for a wide range of drug possession and related convictions, potentially clearing thousands of records without requiring any action from the person convicted.
Clean Slate Laws Are Working Where They Are Fully Funded — But Millions in Other States Are Still Waiting
With clean slate automatic expungement laws now active in multiple states, new data shows a clear pattern: states that invested in court technology and dedicated staff are clearing records at scale, while states that passed laws without funding are leaving millions of eligible people in limbo.
Clean Slate Momentum Meets a Stubborn Reality: Fees and Wait Times Still Block Record Clearing
Even as automatic expungement laws expand across the country, many people with records still face filing fees, long statutory waiting periods, and court processes that require action on their part. A look at where the gap between law and access remains widest.
Michigan's Clean Slate Law Reaches Major Milestone: 1.6 Million Records Cleared
Michigan's automatic expungement law has cleared a record number of criminal records since its implementation, demonstrating the scale of unmet need for automatic record clearing and setting a model other states are watching.
Clean Slate Momentum Grows, But Implementation Delays Leave Millions Waiting
With more states passing automatic expungement laws than ever before, the gap between what the law promises and what courts can actually deliver is becoming a growing problem for people hoping to move on from past records.
Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Target Housing Discrimination Against People With Criminal Records
New legislation in Harrisburg and a Philadelphia city ordinance expansion are pushing employment and housing barriers for people with criminal records into focus, as states and cities alike move to widen the net of automatic record clearing.
Your Record Is Expunged — Can an Employer Still Ask About It?
Automatic expungement laws have cleared millions of records across the United States, but advocates say the employment journey does not end when the order is entered. Understanding what an expunged record means in the hiring process is a practical step every job seeker with a cleared record should take.
Kentucky Clean Slate Bill Advances: What Automatic Expungement Would Mean for Residents
A Kentucky bill that would automatically clear certain convictions without requiring residents to file a petition is moving through the legislature, continuing a national trend toward government-administered record clearing.
Clean Slate Laws Work on Paper — But Courts Are Struggling to Implement Them
States have passed a wave of automatic expungement laws, but the agencies responsible for carrying them out face outdated technology, unclear eligibility rules, and staffing shortfalls. Here is what that means for people waiting for their records to be cleared.
Kentucky's Clean Slate Bill Advances: What Automatic Expungement Would Mean for Residents
A Kentucky bill that would automatically clear certain convictions without requiring residents to file a petition is moving through the legislature, continuing a national trend toward government-administered record clearing.
States Accelerate Automatic Expungement Push as Michigan Clears 1.6 Million Records
With Michigan's clean slate law surpassing 1.6 million records cleared, a dozen states have passed or expanded automatic expungement legislation in 2026, moving the nation toward government-administered record clearing.
Missouri Bill Would Auto-Expunge Drug Offenses — What It Means for Residents
A bill heading to Missouri's governor would automatically seal eligible drug-related convictions, joining a national wave of states shifting from person-initiated petitions to government-administered record clearing.
Marijuana Convictions and Expungement: State-by-State Overview
As marijuana legalization spreads across the country, states are increasingly offering automatic expungement for cannabis convictions. Here is what to know in your state.
Expungement vs Record Sealing: What's the Actual Legal Difference?
Expungement and record sealing are often confused but have distinct legal effects. Understanding the difference matters when you need to disclose or deny a record.
What Actually Shows on a Background Check After Expungement
After expungement, records do not always disappear completely. Here is what background checks actually reveal and how to handle discrepancies.
Automatic Expungement: How Clean Slate Laws Work Without Filing
Automatic expungement removes eligible records without any action from you. Here's how clean slate laws differ from traditional filing-based expungement.
Strengthening Access to Housing for People With Criminal Records Is Key to Successful Reentry - Center for American Progress
Strengthening Access to Housing for People With Criminal Records Is Key to Successful Reentry - Center for American Progress
Archived | Impacts of the Second Chance Act - Office of Justice Programs (.gov)
Archived | Impacts of the Second Chance Act - Office of Justice Programs (.gov)
The Workforce Impact of Second Chance Hiring - U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The Workforce Impact of Second Chance Hiring - U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Formerly incarcerated celebrate passage of Illinois' Clean Slate Act - WBEZ Chicago
Formerly incarcerated celebrate passage of Illinois' Clean Slate Act - WBEZ Chicago
A Criminal Record Shouldn't Be a Life Sentence to Poverty - Center for American Progress
A Criminal Record Shouldn't Be a Life Sentence to Poverty - Center for American Progress
New Pennsylvania Legislation and Philadelphia Ordinance Amendment Tackle Pardoned Convictions, Expunged Records, and Negligent Hiring Liability | Littler - Littler Mendelson P.C.
New Pennsylvania Legislation and Philadelphia Ordinance Amendment Tackle Pardoned Convictions, Expunged Records, and Negligent Hiring Liability - Littler Mendelson P.C.
California is clearing criminal records — including violent crimes — to offer second chances - CalMatters
California is clearing criminal records — including violent crimes — to offer second chances - CalMatters
Illinois 'Clean Slate' law allows automatic sealing of nonviolent criminal records - ABC7 Chicago
Illinois 'Clean Slate' law allows automatic sealing of nonviolent criminal records - ABC7 Chicago
Advocates Complain of Background Check Errors - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
Advocates Complain of Background Check Errors - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
Philadelphia City Council Amends and Expands 'Ban the Box' Law - Morgan Lewis
Philadelphia City Council Amends and Expands 'Ban the Box' Law - Morgan Lewis
'Ban the Box' Expands in Philadelphia: Latest Updates for Employers - Jackson Lewis
'Ban the Box' Expands in Philadelphia: Latest Updates for Employers - Jackson Lewis
Maryland Clean Slate Act stalls despite Senate approval, advocates remain hopeful - WYPR
Maryland Clean Slate Act stalls despite Senate approval, advocates remain hopeful - WYPR
R Street Testimony in Support of MD HB 360, Clean Slate Act of 2026 - R Street Institute
R Street Testimony in Support of MD HB 360, Clean Slate Act of 2026 - R Street Institute
After years of attempts, an automatic expungement system moves closer to reality in Missouri - STLPR
After years of attempts, an automatic expungement system moves closer to reality in Missouri - STLPR
Delaware Clean Slate law delayed for thousands with minor records - The News Journal
Delaware Clean Slate law delayed for thousands with minor records - The News Journal
Bill requiring automatic expungement of eligible drug offenses heads to Missouri governor - Missouri Independent
Bill requiring automatic expungement of eligible drug offenses heads to Missouri governor - Missouri Independent
Oklahoma's new laws offer a 'clean slate' for many with past records - The Oklahoman
Oklahoma's new laws offer a 'clean slate' for many with past records - The Oklahoman
Illinois governor clears thousands of marijuana convictions - PBS
Illinois governor clears thousands of marijuana convictions - PBS
'It's reprehensible': Delaware Gov. Meyer, advocates blast state police over stalled Clean Slate rollout - WHYY
'It's reprehensible': Delaware Gov. Meyer, advocates blast state police over stalled Clean Slate rollout - WHYY
Nearly 1.6M criminal records cleared under Michigan 'clean slate' law - Bridge Michigan
Nearly 1.6M criminal records cleared under Michigan 'clean slate' law - Bridge Michigan
Clean slate laws boost the economy and public safety - Brookings
Clean slate laws boost the economy and public safety - Brookings
Pritzker signs Clean Slate Act into law, nonviolent felony records to be automatically sealed in 2029 - WANDTV.com
Pritzker signs Clean Slate Act into law, nonviolent felony records to be automatically sealed in 2029 - WANDTV.com
CFPB Takes Aim at Misleading, Incomplete, and Old Information in Background Check Reports - NCLC
CFPB Takes Aim at Misleading, Incomplete, and Old Information in Background Check Reports - NCLC
Expungement clinic works to clear cannabis convictions - NJ Spotlight News
Expungement clinic works to clear cannabis convictions - NJ Spotlight News
2.5 million Americans will have marijuana convictions cleared or forgiven - VOA - Voice of America English News
2.5 million Americans will have marijuana convictions cleared or forgiven - VOA - Voice of America English News
Automatic expungement, easier medial parole and better good-time credits: Oklahoma's criminal justice reforms - The Journal Record
Automatic expungement, easier medial parole and better good-time credits: Oklahoma's criminal justice reforms - The Journal Record
'A second chance': Expungement Unit services New Mexicans looking to seal records - NM Department of Public Safety (.gov)
'A second chance': Expungement Unit services New Mexicans looking to seal records - NM Department of Public Safety (.gov)
Expungement programs help many St. Louisans seal certain marijuana records - STLPR
Expungement programs help many St. Louisans seal certain marijuana records - STLPR
Automatic Expungement Laws Expand to 14 States in 2026
Utah and Montana joined the growing list of states with automatic expungement laws in 2026, continuing a multi-year trend of legislatures embracing record-clearing without individual filing.
States Move to Clear Marijuana Convictions as Federal Rescheduling Nears
With DEA reconsidering cannabis scheduling, states are accelerating expungement efforts targeting marijuana convictions — affecting millions of records nationwide.
New Federal Rules Limit AI Use in Background Checks — What It Means for Expunged Records
The FTC finalized rules restricting how employers can use AI in hiring decisions, with specific provisions around how criminal records — including expunged ones — can be weighed.
Second Chance Act Funding Recipients Announced: $150M for Record-Clearing Programs
The Bureau of Justice Assistance released the list of 85 grantees receiving Second Chance Act funding in 2026, targeting jurisdictions with high rates of record-bearing residents.
Expungement Processing Times: Which States Are Fastest in 2026
Processing times vary more than ever — from 30 days in Utah to over 18 months in New Jersey. We analyzed filing data from all 50 states to find out where expungement moves fastest.
Looking to expunge your record?
Our state guides cover eligibility, costs, waiting periods, and the exact steps to file. Or connect with an expungement attorney for help with your case.