Louisiana Expungement Attorney — Clear Your Record In Shreveport & Bossier City

A criminal record can hold you back in ways that extend far beyond any sentence you have already served. Background checks for employment, housing, professional licensing, and even volunteer opportunities can surface arrests and convictions that you thought were behind you. In Louisiana, expungement offers eligible individuals the opportunity to have certain arrests and convictions removed from their public criminal record — giving them a genuine fresh start.

If you have a criminal record in Louisiana and want to know whether you qualify for expungement, I can help. I have assisted clients throughout Shreveport, Bossier City, and Northwest Louisiana in navigating the expungement process and clearing their records so they can move forward with their lives.

What Is An Expungement In Louisiana?

An expungement is a legal process that removes an arrest or conviction from your publicly accessible criminal record. Once a record is expunged in Louisiana, you are generally not required to disclose it on job applications, housing applications, or other forms where you are asked about your criminal history — with certain exceptions for government positions and professional licensing boards.

It is important to understand that expungement in Louisiana does not completely destroy the record. Law enforcement agencies and certain government entities may still be able to access expunged records. However, for the vast majority of everyday purposes — employment, housing, and general background checks — an expungement effectively clears your record.

Who Qualifies For Expungement In Louisiana

Louisiana’s expungement laws have expanded in recent years, allowing more people to qualify. General eligibility guidelines include:

• Arrests with no conviction — if you were arrested but charges were not filed, were dismissed, or you were acquitted, you may be eligible for immediate expungement
• Misdemeanor convictions — generally eligible for expungement five years after completion of your sentence, provided you have not been convicted of any other offense during that period
• Felony convictions — generally eligible for expungement ten years after completion of your sentence for certain qualifying offenses; some felonies are not eligible
• First offense drug convictions — may qualify for expungement under specific provisions of Louisiana law
• Juvenile records — may be eligible for expungement under separate provisions

Certain offenses are not eligible for expungement in Louisiana, including sex offenses requiring registration, crimes of violence, and DWI convictions. I will review your specific record and advise you honestly about whether expungement is an option for you.

The Expungement Process In Louisiana

The expungement process in Louisiana involves several steps and can take several months to complete. Generally the process includes:

• Filing a motion for expungement with the court in the parish where the arrest or conviction occurred
• Paying the required filing fees
• Serving notice on the district attorney, arresting agency, and other required parties
• Attending a hearing if the district attorney objects
• Receiving the court’s order of expungement if granted
• The court then orders all relevant agencies to remove the record from public access

Having an experienced attorney handle this process ensures that all paperwork is filed correctly, all deadlines are met, and that your petition gives you the best possible chance of success.

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Serving Shreveport, Bossier City, And Northwest Louisiana

I assist clients with expungements throughout Caddo Parish, Bossier Parish, Lincoln Parish, Webster Parish, Jackson Parish, Vernon Parish, and Natchitoches Parish. If you are ready to clear your record and move forward, contact my Shreveport office today.

Contact A.J. Hodges, IV To Discuss Your Expungement

Call 318-990-1089 to reach my office in Shreveport. You can also contact me online. Let’s find out together whether expungement is an option that can help you move forward.