You deserve a clean start.
A guide to understanding your options for clearing a Missouri record — through automatic Clean Slate relief, expungement, or a pardon. For many, this is the first real step toward rebuilding a life free from systemic barriers.
A record shouldn't decide who gets to come home.
Photo by Kelli McClintock on Unsplash · representative image, not an actual CTKC familyMissouri's Clean Slate law is coming — here's when, and what it changes.
Missouri's Clean Slate law (SB 1421) was signed on July 9, 2026. The automatic clearing itself is required to begin "when technically feasible, but no later than January 1, 2027," run by the Missouri State Highway Patrol rather than individual courts. That changes what "Clear Start" means going forward — this page covers what's automatic once it's live, what still requires action, and what to do if you're not eligible.
Eligible misdemeanors (after 1 year) and nonviolent felonies (after 3 years) are meant to be cleared by the state directly — no petition required.
Excluded offenses, cases beyond the lifetime caps (2 felonies / 3 misdemeanors), and pardons all still require you to apply — before and after the automatic system goes live.
Five paths forward — clearing a record, or clearing the way to court.
Not everyone needs the same path. Explore the one that fits your situation — your intake conversation will help confirm which applies. Every application you need is downloadable directly from this page.
Missouri law (§ 610.140 RSMo) allows individuals to petition the court to have certain criminal records sealed from public view. Expungement doesn't destroy the record — it hides it from most background checks, while courts and law enforcement can still access it under limited circumstances.
- It's been 3 years since completing a felony sentence, or 1 year for misdemeanors/municipal offenses
- No new convictions or pending charges
- Your offense isn't on the exclusion list (Class A felonies, violent crimes, sex offenses, certain firearm/DUI offenses)
- All fines and restitution are paid
- Up to 2 felonies
- Up to 3 misdemeanors or ordinance violations
- Infractions have no limit
Separate from the 3-year/1-year process above, you can petition to expunge an arrest alone as soon as 18 months from the arrest date — as long as you were never charged and haven't been found guilty of any misdemeanor or felony since. This is a faster, narrower path than the general felony/misdemeanor process, and is distinct from the identity-theft and false-arrest paths covered in the "Other Ways to Clear a Record" tab.
- Full civil rights restored — including the right to vote, hold public office, and serve on a jury
- Legally treated as if the arrest, charge, or conviction never happened
- You may answer "no" to "have you ever been arrested or convicted" for most purposes
- No perjury exposure for not disclosing an expunged offense in most contexts
- Applications for a state-issued professional license, certificate, or permit
- Gaming/lottery licensing or employment
- Employment with a federally insured bank, savings institution, or credit union
- Employment in the insurance industry, or any employer legally required to exclude certain convictions
Download the forms you need
Filing without a lawyer (pro se)
You don't need an attorney to file. Here's the process, condensed:
Check eligibility & look yourself up on Case.net
Confirm your offense qualifies and review your own record before filing.
Prepare the required forms
Petition for Expungement, Service Instructions, Confidential Case Filing Information Sheet, and a fee waiver request if needed.
File with the Circuit Court
File in the county where you were convicted. List every agency that may hold your record — missing one can result in an incomplete expungement.
Serve the respondents
Typically $160–$175 in filing and service costs; a fee waiver is available based on financial hardship.
Track your case & attend the hearing
Sign up for Case.net alerts. A hearing is usually scheduled after a 30-day waiting period following service.
Confirm it was completed
After 30 days, verify your record was sealed via Case.net, the clerk, or a name-based report from the Highway Patrol.
If denied, you can typically refile after one year — often after paying off outstanding debt or once the waiting period has fully elapsed.
Missouri offers more than one way to clear a record. Beyond the main expungement law, these paths cover arrests, mistaken identity, coercion, and more — several with no lifetime limits.
Seals arrest-only records with no lifetime limit, if the arrest was based on false information and no probable cause exists.
Seals arrests or charges resulting from someone else using your identity, where charges were dismissed or you were found not guilty.
Lets survivors expunge qualifying offenses committed while under 18 or under coercion.
One lifetime expungement once the support obligation ends, probation is complete, and arrears are paid.
One lifetime expungement, 10 years after conviction with no further alcohol-related contacts. Not available with a CDL.
No lifetime limits. Courts are required to expunge qualifying misdemeanor and felony marijuana offenses for those no longer incarcerated.
If you're not eligible for expungement, a pardon from the Governor may be an option. Under Article IV, Section 7 of the Missouri Constitution, the Governor can grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons (except for treason or impeachment), based on review and recommendation from the Missouri Parole Board.
Download the application
- Full Pardon — doesn't erase the conviction, but restores citizenship rights and removes collateral consequences
- Partial Pardon — limited relief, restoring specific rights only
- Commutation of Sentence — reduces a sentence, full or partial
- Reprieve — temporarily delays a sentence
- Be fully discharged from incarceration or supervision
- Be conviction-free for at least 5 years
- Have no pending charges
- Have exhausted other remedies (expungement, appeals)
- Claim innocence
- Have served 25+ years
- Are 70+ and have served 12+ years
- Have exhausted other legal remedies
Applications go through the Missouri Parole Board, 3400 Knipp Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109.
For federal offenses, the President of the United States has the constitutional authority to grant pardons and commutations, except in cases of impeachment (Article II, Section 2).
Download the application
- Typically a 5-year wait after completing your sentence (or after conviction, if no prison time was served)
- Generally not available while on probation, parole, or supervised release
- Requires good conduct and a compelling case for relief
Petitions are submitted to the Office of the Pardon Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, and are investigated before a recommendation is made to the President. Full instructions and forms are available through the DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney.
A municipal warrant doesn't mean your case is over — it usually means the court is waiting for you. If you missed a court date or a payment on a Kansas City Municipal Court case, a warrant may have been issued, which puts you at risk of arrest any time you have a police contact. A warrant withdrawal (sometimes called a recall) removes that active warrant so you can resolve the underlying case in court instead of avoiding it.
Outstanding municipal warrants keep people cycling in and out of contact with the justice system — often over unpaid fines they couldn't afford in the first place. Clearing the warrant, not just avoiding it, is what actually stops the cycle. This is also why we host Come to Court With Johnny, a standing event where you can resolve a warrant with support in the room.
- Confirm the warrant and the underlying case with the court or a court-navigation partner
- Request the warrant be recalled or withdrawn — usually by appearing voluntarily or through counsel
- The court sets a new hearing or payment arrangement in place of the warrant
- Some courts require a documented reason (missed notice, changed address, hardship) to support the request
- Help you understand what the warrant is for before you go anywhere near the court
- Accompany you to court through Come to Court With Johnny
- Connect you with KCMCCC and public defender resources for municipal cases
- Help set up a payment plan or hardship request where the court allows it
Request a Warrant Withdrawal
Fill this out and a member of our team will follow up to help you take the next step safely.
Not sure if you have an active warrant?
Ask Johnny how to check before you fill out the request above — we'll help you confirm it safely first.
Not sure if your offense qualifies?
Ask Johnny for the fastest answer, or search the full lookup list below if you'd rather look it up yourself.
Ask Johnny to check your specific offense
Tell Johnny your charge and we'll tell you where it falls — no need to search a spreadsheet yourself.
Prefer to look it up yourself?
⚠ VerifyRows marked "Needs Verification" involve a statute with a partial or conditional exception (e.g., § 610.140.3(11) for § 571.030, or intoxication-related offenses under § 610.140.3(8), which route through the separate § 610.130 DUI process instead). Confirm the exact subdivision with Ask Johnny or an attorney before relying on this row.
| Statute | Offense | Category | Eligibility |
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Effective January 1, 2025, under RSMo § 610.140. This is a guide and not exhaustive — if you see an inaccuracy, please contact us.