Need help determining your eligibility or applying?
The University of Akron School of Law offers a monthly FREE expungement clinic. For more information, call 330-972-7751 or visit this page. If you are indigent, Summit Legal Defenders can assist you in applying for a sealing or expungement. For more information, call 330-434-3461 or visit Community Legal Aid is a non-profit law firm serving the legal needs of low-income individuals and families in central northeast Ohio.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Court staff cannot provide legal counsel; please consult with an attorney for guidance on your specific situation. The final decision of a sealing or expungement is within the discretion of the judge.
What can I expect after I apply?
- An investigation is assigned to an Adult Probation Officer
- A hearing is set with the Court
- A background check is completed
- Your case is reviewed to make sure all conditions ordered by the Court have been fulfilled
- A report is provided to the Court
If you have any additional questions, please call the Adult Probation Department's Sealings & Expungements line at 330-643-8255.
Sealing vs Expungement
Sealing removes the record from public view, but it still may be visible to certain groups, such as law enforcement, government, or specific types of employers.
Expungement means to destroy, delete, and erase a record so that the record is permanently irretrievable. There is one exception to this: the Bureau of Criminal Identification is permitted to retain an expunged record for the limited purpose of determining someone's qualifications for working in law enforcement.
What if your record is already sealed? Applicants who have sealed records can apply to expunge those records if they meet the requirements for expungement. They will need to obtain a copy of the judgment
How long do I wait after my case is discharged?
| Level of Offense | Sealing | Expungement |
| Minor Misdemeanor | 6 months | 6 months |
| Misdemeanor (M4-M1) | 1 year | 1 year |
4th or 5th degree felonies | 1 year | sealing time period + 10 years = 11 years |
| 3rd degree felonies | 3 years | sealing time period + 10 years = 13 years |
| Offenses subject to 2950 reporting (sex offenses) | 5 years after reporting requirements end | 5 years after reporting requirements end (+10 years for felonies) |
| Soliciting or Accepting Improper Compensation 2921.43 | 7 years | 7 years |
| Bail forfeiture | Any time after the date which the forfeiture was entered upon the court minutes or journal | M1-M4: 1 year after the decision is entered MM: 6 months after the decision is entered |
| No Bill | 2 years after the decision is reported | 2 years after the decision is reported |
| Dismissal or Not Guilty | Any time after the finding of Not Guilty or Dismissal | Any time after the finding of Not Guilty or Dismissal |
Automatic Denials
Your application will be denied if:
- You have any pending criminal matters.
- You have not fulfilled all conditions ordered by the Court in the matter you wish to have sealed or expunged. This includes having restitution and fines paid in full.
- The offense you are applying for is a felony of the 1st or 2nd degree.
- You have more than 2 felony convictions.
- You have exactly 2 felony convictions of the 3rd degree, but have more than 2 misdemeanor convictions.
- The offense you are applying for is a traffic offense.
- The offense you are applying for is a sexually-oriented offense subject to reporting requirements and you have not satisfied the waiting period.
- The victim in the offense is less than 13 years old (This does not apply to nonsupport of dependents).
- The offense you are applying for is a Domestic Violence conviction (4th degree misdemeanor sealings are allowed).
- The offense you are applying for is a Theft in Office conviction.
- The offense you are applying for is a felony offense of violence conviction.