Expunge Felony Missouri Guide – If you have a felony conviction on your record in Missouri, you may be able to clear it through expungement. This process can open doors to better jobs, housing, and licensing opportunities. This comprehensive guide explains eligibility, the step-by-step process, costs, and what happens after approval under current Missouri law as of 2026.
Note: This article provides general information based on Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.140 and official court resources. It is not legal advice. Laws can be complex, and outcomes depend on your specific case. Consult a qualified Missouri attorney or use official court forms for your situation.
What Is Felony Expungement in Missouri?
Expungement in Missouri means a court orders agencies to close (seal) your criminal records so they are no longer publicly accessible. Under RSMo § 610.140, once granted, you can legally deny the arrest, plea, trial, or conviction in most situations, such as job applications or housing inquiries.
Expunged records become confidential and are removed from most background checks. However, certain government agencies and regulated professions may still access them. Expungement restores civil rights (voting, jury service, holding office) as if the conviction never occurred for most purposes.
Missouri distinguishes expungement from sealing in some contexts, but under § 610.140 the result is that records are closed to the public.
Who Is Eligible to Expunge a Felony in Missouri?
To qualify for felony expungement under § 610.140, you must meet these strict requirements:
- Waiting period — At least 3 years must have passed since you completed your full sentence (including probation, parole, fines, and restitution) for the felony.
- Clean record during waiting period — You must not have been convicted of any new misdemeanor or felony (excluding most traffic violations under Chapters 301-307, RSMo) in the 3 years before filing.
- All obligations satisfied — You must have paid all fines, court costs, restitution, and completed every term of your sentence with no pending charges or warrants.
- Missouri state offenses only — Federal convictions and out-of-state cases are not eligible under this statute.
- Lifetime limits — You may expunge no more than 2 felonies and 3 misdemeanors (or ordinance violations carrying jail time) in your lifetime. Multiple charges from the same incident or course of conduct may count as one offense at the highest level.
You can file one petition covering multiple eligible offenses.
Felonies That Cannot Be Expunged in Missouri
Certain serious felonies are permanently ineligible under § 610.140(3). These include:
- Any Class A felony
- Dangerous felonies (as defined in § 556.061)
- Any offense requiring sex offender registration
- Felonies where death is an element of the crime
- Felony assault offenses
- Domestic assault (misdemeanor or felony)
- Felony kidnapping
- Most intoxication-related traffic or boating offenses (DWI/DUI)
- Offenses involving a commercial driver’s license (CDL)
- Numerous specific crimes listed in chapters such as 566 (sexual offenses), 565, 569, 571, 577, and others
Check the full list in the statute or consult the court if your offense is borderline.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Expunge a Felony in Missouri?
Here is the official process for filing a felony expungement petition in Missouri:
- Confirm eligibility — Review the waiting period, clean record, and lifetime limits using your Case.net records and the statute.
- Obtain the correct form — Use the official “Petition for Expungement – Section 610.140, RSMo” (Form CR-360, updated January 1, 2025) available on the Missouri Courts website.
- Gather case information — Include full name, sex, race, driver’s license, current address, and complete details for every offense (charge date, county, case number, court).
- List all defendants — Name every agency that may hold records: circuit court, county sheriff, municipal police, Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), prosecuting attorney, Missouri Department of Revenue, and any others.
- File the petition — Submit in the Circuit Court of the county where you were charged or convicted, along with the required Filing Information Sheet (FI-50).
- Pay or waive fees and serve notice — The court notifies parties; prosecutors have 30 days to object.
- Attend hearing if required — If objected to, a hearing occurs within 60 days. You must show your habits and conduct pose no threat to public safety (a rebuttable presumption applies if other criteria are met).
- Court ruling — The court must issue an order within 6 months of filing. If granted, agencies must close the records.
If denied, you generally cannot refile for one year.
Required Forms and Documents for Missouri Felony Expungement
- Primary form: Petition for Expungement – Section 610.140, RSMo (CR-360)
- Filing Information Sheet (FI-50)
- Service Instructions (if required by your county)
- Optional: Motion and Affidavit to Proceed as a Poor Person (for fee waiver)
- Proof of completed sentence and clean record (court records, payment receipts)
All forms are free on courts.mo.gov. Clerks cannot fill them out for you—accuracy is your responsibility.
Missouri Felony Expungement Costs and Fees
- Filing fee — Typically $100–$250 per petition (varies slightly by county; often includes a statutory surcharge). Service costs add approximately $10–$50 per respondent.
- Fee waiver — Available if you qualify as indigent by filing a poor-person application.
- Attorney fees (optional) — Hiring a lawyer can cost $1,500–$3,000+ but reduces errors and increases success odds.
Total out-of-pocket for most pro se filers is often under $200 if fees are paid.
What Happens After Your Felony Is Expunged in Missouri?
- Records are closed to the public and most background checks.
- You may answer “no” to questions about the conviction on employment, housing, and licensing applications (with limited exceptions for regulated professions, banks, insurance, lottery jobs, or law enforcement).
- The expunged offense still counts as a prior conviction for future sentencing.
- Agencies must comply with the order within set timeframes.
Expungement does not destroy the record entirely; law enforcement and courts may still access it under specific circumstances.
Missouri Expungement vs. Sealing: Key Differences
In Missouri, “expungement” under § 610.140 effectively seals the record from public view. True destruction is rare. Sealing and expungement are often used interchangeably in practice, but the statute uses “expungement” for the closure process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Expunging Felonies in Missouri
Can I expunge more than one felony?
Yes—up to two felonies total in your lifetime under current limits.
How long does the process take?
From filing to order: up to 6 months, plus any hearing time.
Do I need a lawyer?
No—pro se filing is common and supported by official forms. However, an attorney is strongly recommended for complex cases or if prosecutors object.
Will expungement appear on FBI background checks?
No, once the central repository updates records.
What about marijuana offenses?
Separate automatic or petition processes exist under Missouri’s Constitution for certain marijuana convictions.
When Should You Hire a Missouri Expungement Attorney?
Consider hiring an attorney if:
- Your case involves multiple charges or borderline eligibility
- Prosecutors are likely to object
- You need help gathering records or proving rehabilitation
- You want maximum success odds and to avoid costly refiling delays
Many Missouri attorneys offer flat-fee expungement services.
Final Thoughts: Start Your Missouri Felony Expungement Today
Expunging a felony in Missouri is a powerful way to move forward after paying your debt to society. With the 2025 updates shortening waiting periods to 3 years for felonies and raising lifetime limits to two felonies, more Missourians than ever qualify.
Visit courts.mo.gov for the latest forms and start by checking your eligibility on Case.net. Act promptly—delays only postpone the fresh start you deserve.
Ready to expunge your felony in Missouri? Download the official CR-360 petition today and take the first step toward a cleaner record. For personalized guidance, contact a licensed Missouri criminal defense or expungement attorney.