If you have a criminal conviction on your record, you may find it difficult to find gainful employment, secure safe housing or even exercise your basic American right to vote. Depending on the nature of the crime, you may even be unable to receive federal aid for higher learning. Fortunately, the state of Mississippi grants expungements for certain crimes. FindLaw explores the eligibility criteria for expungement in Mississippi.
You may obtain an expungement from the court from which you received the conviction if you successfully completed all the terms and conditions of the sentence, and if the conviction is at least five years old. To be eligible under these terms, your crime must have involved larceny, false pretense, possession of a controlled substance or paraphernalia, a back check, shoplifting or malicious mischief.
The courts may also grant you an expunction if you committed a felony when you were younger than 21 years of age and if the conviction is at least five years old. You must have completed all the terms and conditions of your sentence. That said, the court will not expunge a crime that the state classifies as “violent,” and nor will it grant an expunction for any crimes relating to the distribution of controlled substances.
If you wish to petition for expunction, you must give the district attorney 10 days advance notice. A court is likely to grant the expunction if it determines you are rehabilitated from the offense and are unlikely to commit it again.
This article is for educational purposes only. You should not use it as legal advice.
