Louisiana
Below is a general overview of when juvenile records can be expunged in Louisiana. Please note that the Clean Slate Clearinghouse does not provide legal advice.
Read the legal policies and statutes for detailed statutory information.
Juvenile Record Clearance Policies Overview
Most juvenile records can be expunged.
- If charges were never filed against you or your case was dismissed, your record can be expunged at any time. You have to submit a request to the court to start the process, and the judge is required to grant your request if you meet the criteria.
- If you were adjudicated (found guilty) for anything except murder, manslaughter, a sex offense requiring you to register, kidnapping, or armed robbery, your record can be expunged after your case closes or you are released from probation or commitment. You have to submit a request to the court to start the process, and the judge is required to grant your request if you meet the criteria.
- If you were adjudicated (found guilty) for murder, manslaughter, a sex offense requiring you to register, kidnapping, or armed robbery, your record can be expunged five years after your release from probation or commitment. You have to submit a request to the court to start the process, and it is up to the judge whether or not to grant your request.
You may not be eligible for expungement if you have certain convictions or adjudications on your record or have pending criminal or juvenile charges.
Find a Lawyer
If you think you might be eligible to have your record expunged, find a lawyer who may be able to help you. Some lawyers might help you for free, although you may still need to pay a fee to file the paperwork in court.
Court Forms and Resources
If you cannot find a lawyer to help you, you may be able to file a petition on your own using these court forms and resources.
Explore legal service providers located in the state by proximity to a zip code or county.
Contact information for legal aid organizations, bar associations, and other organizations that engage in record clearance work is provided for informational purposes only. The Clean Slate Clearinghouse does not endorse or recommend any organization or individual referenced on the site. If you are a legal service provider who offers record clearance services, please contact us.
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Justice and Accountability Center
Justice and Accountability Center
Service area: Statewide
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Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights
Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights
Service area: Statewide
Clearance services available only for those with juvenile records. -
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services – New Orleans
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services – New Orleans
Service area: Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Pointe Coupee Parish, St. Bernard Parish, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James Parish, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana parishes
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Southwest Louisiana Legal Services
Southwest Louisiana Legal Services
Service area: Southwestern Louisiana
Records relating to a misdemeanor conviction can be expunged by the court five years after sentence completion. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 977.
View DetailsRecords relating to a felony conviction can be expunged by the court 10 years after sentence completion, if the person has no subsequent convictions. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 978.
View DetailsRecords relating to a case for which the person is entitled to a first-offender pardon can be expunged by the court immediately. La. C.Cr.P.Art. 978(A)(3).
View DetailsRecords relating to a misdemeanor case dismissed following successful completion of deferred-sentence probation can be expunged by the court immediately. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 977(A)(2).
View DetailsRecords relating to a felony case dismissed following successful completion of deferred sentence probation may be expunged by the court immediately. La. C.Cr.P.Art. 978(A)(2).
View DetailsRecords relating to an arrest or conviction for which the person was judicially determined to be factually innocent can be expunged by the court. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 976(A)(4).
View DetailsRecords relating to a felony or misdemeanor arrest that resulted in dismissal, acquittal, or other non-conviction disposition can be expunged by the court. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 976.
View DetailsA record of a felony arrest where the original arrest resulted in a misdemeanor conviction can be expunged by the court. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 985.1.
View DetailsA record relating to a delinquency filing that did not result in an adjudication will be expunged and sealed upon petition at any time. La. Child. Code Ann. Art. 918(A).
View DetailsA record relating to a delinquency adjudication for sex-related offenses will be expunged and sealed at any time. La. Child. Code Ann. Art. 918(A).
View DetailsA record relating to a delinquency matter that resulted in adjudication will be expunged and sealed upon petition, so long as the court exercising juvenile jurisdiction has ceased exercising jurisdiction and the person is not subject to a disqualifying event. La. Child. Code Ann. Art. 918(B).
View DetailsA record relating to an adjudication for murder, manslaughter, a sex offense requiring registration under R.S. 15:542, kidnapping, or armed robbery can be expunged and sealed upon petition, so long as the court exercising juvenile jurisdiction has ceased exercising jurisdiction, five years have elapsed since the person has satisfied the most recent judgment against him, and the person is not subject to a disqualifying event. La. Child. Code Ann. Art. 918(D).
View DetailsAn adjudication for prostitution or related offenses that resulted from being a victim of human trafficking can be set aside, and the related records expunged and sealed, by the court immediately. La. Child. Code Ann. Art. 923.
View DetailsA record relating to a delinquency matter that did not result in charges being filed can be expunged and sealed upon petition at any time. La. Child. Code Ann. Art. 918(A).
View Details