Expunging or Sealing a Felony in District of Columbia

Felony convictions may be sealed by motion after 8 years from completion of the sentence if the court finds it is in the interests of justice. Offenses in Offense Severity Groups 1, 2 or 3 of the D.C. Sentencing Commission's Master Grid (the most serious felonies) are not eligible. Felony convictions are not covered by automatic sealing.

File a written motion in D.C. Superior Court stating all of the person's unsealed citations, arrests, charges and convictions known to the person, the grounds for eligibility, and supporting facts, and serve a copy on the prosecutor (who need not respond unless the court orders it). The court may deny a motion that is plainly ineligible, may order a response, and decides whether to hold a hearing. It weighs the person's interest in sealing and rehabilitation against the community's interest in access to the records, and must rule in writing with reasons. A person need not seek relief for every eligible record at once.

Sealing removes the records from public view, and agencies reply to public inquiries that no records are available. A person whose record is sealed or expunged cannot be found guilty of perjury or a false statement for failing to disclose it in response to any inquiry. Sealed records remain available to the person and, for lawful purposes, to prosecutors, law enforcement, corrections and supervision agencies (including for later charges, sentencing, employment decisions and firearm checks) and to certain other listed entities. Expungement restores the person to the legal status held before the arrest or conviction, with even narrower access. Federal immigration authorities may treat sealed records differently.