New York Expungement Guide

Filing Fees

Fee waiver available for qualifying individuals

Process Steps (Conviction Expungement)

1. 1

   Determine Your Sealing Path

   Choose between Clean Slate (automatic) or CPL 160.59 (petition-based).

2. 2

   Clean Slate: Wait for Automatic Sealing

   If eligible for Clean Slate, sealing happens automatically.

3. 3

   Traditional Sealing: Gather Records and Documents

   If petitioning under CPL 160.59, collect all necessary documentation.

4. 4

   Traditional Sealing: Prepare CPL 160.59 Petition

   Draft comprehensive petition for court review.

5. 5

   Traditional Sealing: File Petition with Court

   Submit petition to the court that sentenced you.

6. 6

   Traditional Sealing: Serve District Attorney

   Provide prosecutor with notice and opportunity to oppose.

7. 7

   Traditional Sealing: Attend Court Hearing

   Appear before judge to argue your petition.

8. 8

   Traditional Sealing: Obtain Signed Order

   Get certified copies of the sealing order.

9. 9

   Verify Records Are Sealed

   Confirm all agencies have sealed your conviction records.

Important Notes

• *CRITICAL: New York does NOT have true 'expungement' - it uses 'sealing' instead.
• *Sealed records are hidden from most background checks but NOT destroyed.
• *Sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement, courts, and prosecutors.
• *
• *CLEAN SLATE ACT (CPL 160.57) - Effective November 16, 2024:
• * • Automatic sealing after 3 years (misdemeanors) or 8 years (eligible felonies)
• * • No petition required - happens automatically
• * • No limit on number of convictions
• * • System implementation: November 2024 - November 2027
• * • Old convictions (pre-2024) will be sealed by November 2027
• *
• *TRADITIONAL SEALING (CPL 160.59) - Enacted 2017:
• * • Petition-based sealing after 10 years crime-free
• * • Limited to 2 convictions maximum (max 1 felony)
• * • Court has discretion to grant or deny
• * • Still available but most people will use Clean Slate instead
• *
• *ARREST RECORDS (CPL 160.50):
• * • Cases terminated in your favor eligible for immediate sealing
• * • Includes dismissals, acquittals, ACDs
• * • Should be automatic but often requires petition
• *
• *MARIJUANA OFFENSES:
• * • True EXPUNGEMENT (not just sealing) available for offenses that would no longer be crimes
• * • Automatic under Cannabis Law § 228
• * • Applies to possession and small sales
• *
• *YOUTHFUL OFFENDER STATUS:
• * • NOT a conviction
• * • Automatically sealed
• * • Can legally deny it occurred
• *
• *KEY EXCLUSIONS (apply to all sealing laws):
• * • Violent felony offenses (PL § 70.02)
• * • Sex offenses requiring registration (SORA)
• * • Homicide offenses (PL Article 125)
• * • Class A non-drug felonies
• * • Enterprise corruption (unless underlying offense eligible)
• *
• *IMPORTANT LIMITATIONS OF SEALING:
• * • NOT expungement - records still exist
• * • Still visible to law enforcement and courts
• * • May still appear on FBI background checks
• * • Can be used for sentencing in future cases
• * • May need to disclose for security clearances
• * • Can be unsealed for certain purposes

Resources