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Maine Expungement Laws: How to Clear or Seal a Criminal Record

How to expunge or seal a criminal record in Maine: arrests, misdemeanors, felonies, DUI, juvenile records, waiting periods, fees and how to file.

Quick answers for Maine

What relief the state offers
Maine does not have expungement. Instead, a court can seal the criminal history record of certain convictions, which limits who can see it; the record is not erased. Sealing is not automatic and requires a motion to the court. 15 M.R.S. §§ 2261–2269; Maine Judicial Branch, Sealing Your Criminal Record
Misdemeanor convictions
Convictions for current or former Class E crimes (Maine's lowest crime class) can be sealed, except Class E crimes under the sexual assault chapter of the criminal code (Title 17-A, chapter 11). 15 M.R.S. §§ 2261(6), 2262
Felony convictions
Maine's more serious crimes (Classes A, B and C) cannot be sealed under the general sealing law. The only exception is the separate process for people whose crimes were a substantial result of their being victims of sex trafficking or sexual exploitation, which can apply to any conviction. 15 M.R.S. §§ 2261(6), 2262-B
Automatic (clean slate) relief
There is no automatic sealing of adult convictions; the Judicial Branch states that sealing is not automatic. Many non-conviction records are kept confidential by law without any filing. Maine Judicial Branch, Sealing Your Criminal Record; 16 M.R.S. § 703(2); 15 M.R.S. § 3308-C

Last verified: 2026-10-27

Who qualifies

What relief the state offersMaine does not have expungement. Instead, a court can seal the criminal history record of certain convictions, which limits who can see it; the record is not erased. Sealing is not automatic and requires a motion to the court. Maine also has juvenile record sealing, separate sealing routes for victims of sex trafficking or sexual exploitation and for the former crime of engaging in prostitution, and pardons from the Governor.
Source: 15 M.R.S. §§ 2261–2269; Maine Judicial Branch, Sealing Your Criminal Record
Arrests and dismissed chargesMaine has no court process to seal or expunge arrests that did not lead to a conviction. Instead, state law makes many non-conviction records "confidential criminal history record information," which criminal justice agencies generally may not give to the public. This covers arrests with no disposition after more than one year with no active prosecution, decisions not to refer or prosecute, grand jury no-bills, charges dismissed with prejudice or with finality (other than as part of a plea agreement), and acquittals. Confidential information may still be shared with criminal justice agencies and in other limited situations the law lists.
Source: 16 M.R.S. §§ 703(2), 705
Misdemeanor convictionsConvictions for current or former Class E crimes (Maine's lowest crime class) can be sealed, except Class E crimes under the sexual assault chapter of the criminal code (Title 17-A, chapter 11). Requirements: at least 4 years since the person fully completed the sentence; no new conviction in Maine or elsewhere, and no charge dismissed through a deferred disposition, since completing the sentence for the most recent eligible conviction; and no pending criminal charges anywhere. Class D crimes are generally not eligible, except certain pre-2017 marijuana offenses.
Source: 15 M.R.S. §§ 2261(6), 2262
Felony convictionsMaine's more serious crimes (Classes A, B and C) cannot be sealed under the general sealing law. The only exception is the separate process for people whose crimes were a substantial result of their being victims of sex trafficking or sexual exploitation, which can apply to any conviction.
Source: 15 M.R.S. §§ 2261(6), 2262-B
DUI / DWI convictionsGenerally no. A basic OUI (operating under the influence) offense is a Class D crime, and OUI with prior offenses is a Class C or B crime. Adult sealing is limited to Class E crimes and certain older marijuana offenses.
Source: 29-A M.R.S. § 2411; 15 M.R.S. § 2261(6)
Juvenile recordsFor most juvenile crimes, the court must seal the records within 5 business days after receiving proper notice that the juvenile has been finally discharged from the disposition. For juvenile crimes that would be murder, a Class A, B or C crime, or OUI if committed by an adult, the person may petition to seal after at least 3 years since discharge, with no new adjudication or conviction since the disposition and no pending proceedings. The court may deny if the public's right to information substantially outweighs the juvenile's privacy interest. After sealing, the person may answer most inquiries as if the juvenile crime never happened. Sealing does not remove any firearm prohibition.
Source: 15 M.R.S. § 3308-C
Past marijuana convictionsCertain marijuana crimes committed before January 30, 2017 qualify for sealing even though they were Class D crimes: Class D marijuana cultivation under the former aggravated trafficking/furnishing/cultivation law, some aggravated marijuana cultivation offenses, and Class D possession of marijuana under the former possession law. The usual sealing requirements apply, including the 4-year wait.
Source: 15 M.R.S. § 2261(6)(B)

How to apply

How to applyFile a Motion to Seal Criminal History (form CR-218) in the underlying criminal case, with the clerk of the court where the conviction happened. The motion must briefly address each requirement. The person may file without a lawyer but has no right to a court-appointed lawyer. The prosecutor's office that handled the case represents the State. The court holds a hearing, where the rules of evidence do not apply, and must grant the motion if the person proves each requirement by a preponderance of the evidence. The court then notifies the State Bureau of Identification, which seals the record and mails the person a notice.
Source: 15 M.R.S. §§ 2263, 2264; Maine Judicial Branch, Sealing Your Criminal Record
Automatic (clean slate) reliefThere is no automatic sealing of adult convictions; the Judicial Branch states that sealing is not automatic. Many non-conviction records are kept confidential by law without any filing. For juveniles, records of most adjudications are sealed by court order within 5 business days after the court gets notice that the juvenile has been discharged from the disposition.
Source: Maine Judicial Branch, Sealing Your Criminal Record; 16 M.R.S. § 703(2); 15 M.R.S. § 3308-C
Getting a copy of your criminal recordThe Maine State Bureau of Identification (SBI), part of the Maine State Police, keeps Maine criminal history records. You can request a name-and-date-of-birth check online through the Department of Public Safety's criminal history request service; the fee is $31 ($21 for InforME subscribers) and is charged whether or not a record is found. Name-based results are possible matches only; a fingerprint-based check, submitted directly to SBI with results mailed to you, is the only way to positively match a record to you, and costs the same fee. SBI: State House Station #42, Augusta, ME 04333-0042; in person at 45 Commerce Drive, Suite 1, Augusta; (207) 624-7240, Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm. You can ask SBI to correct a record under 16 M.R.S. 709. The online service does not provide FBI or other-state checks; contact SBI about those.
Source: Maine State Police / State Bureau of Identification, Criminal History Record Request FAQ

After your record is cleared

What clearing a record doesA sealed conviction is confidential and generally may not be given to the public. Criminal justice agencies, the person, victims, the Secretary of State, financial regulators, professional licensing agencies, financial institutions required by law to run checks, and entities required to run fingerprint-based checks can still get it. The person may answer inquiries from others (such as employers, lenders and landlords) without disclosing the sealed conviction. The Judicial Branch notes the record is not erased. If the person is later convicted of a new crime, the record must be unsealed, and the person must notify the court.
The sealing statutes do not address firearm rights or immigration; state sealing may not control how federal authorities treat a record.
Source: 15 M.R.S. §§ 2264(7), 2265, 2266
PardonsPardons and commutations are granted by the Governor. Notice of a petition must be given to the Attorney General and the local district attorney at least 4 weeks before the hearing, and published for 4 weeks in a local newspaper. A person who receives a full and free pardon may, 10 years after final discharge from the sentence, apply to the State Bureau of Identification to have references to the pardoned crime deleted from the FBI identification record, if there is no new conviction and no pending charge.
Source: 15 M.R.S. §§ 2161, 2167

Where to get help in Maine

Expungement & Criminal Records FAQ

Can you get a criminal record expunged in Maine?
Maine does not have expungement. Instead, a court can seal the criminal history record of certain convictions, which limits who can see it; the record is not erased. Sealing is not automatic and requires a motion to the court. Maine also has juvenile record sealing, separate sealing routes for victims of sex trafficking or sexual exploitation and for the former crime of engaging in prostitution, and pardons from the Governor.
Can you clear an arrest or dismissed charge in Maine?
Maine has no court process to seal or expunge arrests that did not lead to a conviction. Instead, state law makes many non-conviction records "confidential criminal history record information," which criminal justice agencies generally may not give to the public. This covers arrests with no disposition after more than one year with no active prosecution, decisions not to refer or prosecute, grand jury no-bills, charges dismissed with prejudice or with finality (other than as part of a plea agreement), and acquittals. Confidential information may still be shared with criminal justice agencies and in other limited situations the law lists.
Can a misdemeanor be expunged in Maine?
Convictions for current or former Class E crimes (Maine's lowest crime class) can be sealed, except Class E crimes under the sexual assault chapter of the criminal code (Title 17-A, chapter 11). Requirements: at least 4 years since the person fully completed the sentence; no new conviction in Maine or elsewhere, and no charge dismissed through a deferred disposition, since completing the sentence for the most recent eligible conviction; and no pending criminal charges anywhere. Class D crimes are generally not eligible, except certain pre-2017 marijuana offenses.
Can a felony be expunged in Maine?
Maine's more serious crimes (Classes A, B and C) cannot be sealed under the general sealing law. The only exception is the separate process for people whose crimes were a substantial result of their being victims of sex trafficking or sexual exploitation, which can apply to any conviction.
Does Maine have automatic record clearing (clean slate)?
There is no automatic sealing of adult convictions; the Judicial Branch states that sealing is not automatic. Many non-conviction records are kept confidential by law without any filing. For juveniles, records of most adjudications are sealed by court order within 5 business days after the court gets notice that the juvenile has been discharged from the disposition.
Can a DUI be expunged in Maine?
Generally no. A basic OUI (operating under the influence) offense is a Class D crime, and OUI with prior offenses is a Class C or B crime. Adult sealing is limited to Class E crimes and certain older marijuana offenses.
How do you seal a juvenile record in Maine?
For most juvenile crimes, the court must seal the records within 5 business days after receiving proper notice that the juvenile has been finally discharged from the disposition. For juvenile crimes that would be murder, a Class A, B or C crime, or OUI if committed by an adult, the person may petition to seal after at least 3 years since discharge, with no new adjudication or conviction since the disposition and no pending proceedings. The court may deny if the public's right to information substantially outweighs the juvenile's privacy interest. After sealing, the person may answer most inquiries as if the juvenile crime never happened. Sealing does not remove any firearm prohibition.
How do you file for expungement in Maine?
File a Motion to Seal Criminal History (form CR-218) in the underlying criminal case, with the clerk of the court where the conviction happened. The motion must briefly address each requirement. The person may file without a lawyer but has no right to a court-appointed lawyer. The prosecutor's office that handled the case represents the State. The court holds a hearing, where the rules of evidence do not apply, and must grant the motion if the person proves each requirement by a preponderance of the evidence. The court then notifies the State Bureau of Identification, which seals the record and mails the person a notice.
What happens after a record is expunged or sealed in Maine?
A sealed conviction is confidential and generally may not be given to the public. Criminal justice agencies, the person, victims, the Secretary of State, financial regulators, professional licensing agencies, financial institutions required by law to run checks, and entities required to run fingerprint-based checks can still get it. The person may answer inquiries from others (such as employers, lenders and landlords) without disclosing the sealed conviction. The Judicial Branch notes the record is not erased. If the person is later convicted of a new crime, the record must be unsealed, and the person must notify the court.
How do you get a pardon in Maine?
Pardons and commutations are granted by the Governor. Notice of a petition must be given to the Attorney General and the local district attorney at least 4 weeks before the hearing, and published for 4 weeks in a local newspaper. A person who receives a full and free pardon may, 10 years after final discharge from the sentence, apply to the State Bureau of Identification to have references to the pardoned crime deleted from the FBI identification record, if there is no new conviction and no pending charge.
Can old marijuana convictions be cleared in Maine?
Certain marijuana crimes committed before January 30, 2017 qualify for sealing even though they were Class D crimes: Class D marijuana cultivation under the former aggravated trafficking/furnishing/cultivation law, some aggravated marijuana cultivation offenses, and Class D possession of marijuana under the former possession law. The usual sealing requirements apply, including the 4-year wait.
How do I check my own criminal record in Maine?
The Maine State Bureau of Identification (SBI), part of the Maine State Police, keeps Maine criminal history records. You can request a name-and-date-of-birth check online through the Department of Public Safety's criminal history request service; the fee is $31 ($21 for InforME subscribers) and is charged whether or not a record is found. Name-based results are possible matches only; a fingerprint-based check, submitted directly to SBI with results mailed to you, is the only way to positively match a record to you, and costs the same fee. SBI: State House Station #42, Augusta, ME 04333-0042; in person at 45 Commerce Drive, Suite 1, Augusta; (207) 624-7240, Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm. You can ask SBI to correct a record under 16 M.R.S. 709. The online service does not provide FBI or other-state checks; contact SBI about those.

Expungement & Criminal Records in other states

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.