Expungement of Criminal Records.

Get a certified copy of your Louisiana State Police criminal history ("rap sheet"). Request through:

• Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification — online request or mail
• Cost: approximately $26

You will need this to identify every arrest and conviction you want expunged.

For each charge you want expunged, check:

• What was the disposition? (refused, dismissed, acquitted, 894 completion, conviction)
• What was the offense? (some are categorically ineligible)
• How long ago was completion of sentence?
• Have you been convicted of anything else during the waiting period?

File a separate expungement motion for each case number, unless combining is authorized.

From the Clerk of Court where the case was filed, order:

• Certified copy of the Bill of Information or Indictment
• Certified copy of the Disposition (judgment, dismissal, or refusal)
• Certified copy of any Article 894 order (if applicable)

These attach to your motion as exhibits.

The site includes the full LSC uniform expungement workflow:

For a typical expungement, you file:

• Motion for Expungement (identifies the arrest/conviction)
• Rule to Show Cause (Order the judge signs to set a response deadline)
• Order of Expungement (proposed final order)
• Certified copy of Bill of Information or Indictment
• Certified copy of Disposition
• [If applicable:] Certification of Fee Waiver
• [Some parishes:] Fingerprint card

The standard expungement filing fee in Louisiana is $550. Fee waivers are available in specific circumstances:

• Case was dismissed or refused
• You were acquitted
• Article 894 completion (first-offender misdemeanor set-aside)
• You are indigent (submit IFP-style affidavit)

Use the Certification of Fee Waiver form (exp-4) if applicable.

Serve the Motion and Rule to Show Cause on:

• The District Attorney for the parish where the case was filed
• The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification
• The arresting law enforcement agency (sheriff, police department)
• Any other agency that has records of the arrest

Service is typically by certified mail. Keep the return receipts.

The agencies have 60 days to respond. If they object, the court schedules a contested hearing. If no objection is filed, the court can grant the expungement on the pleadings.

If unopposed, the judge signs the Order of Expungement. If opposed, the court holds a hearing.

Once signed, the Order directs the sealing/expungement of records held by:

• The Clerk of Court
• The District Attorney
• The Louisiana State Police
• The arresting agency

After 90 days, order a fresh copy of your criminal history from Louisiana State Police to confirm the record is no longer visible. If it still appears, contact the Order's parties and provide the certified Order of Expungement.

Note: Expungement removes the record from public databases. Certain licensing agencies (bar admission, healthcare, teaching, law enforcement) and federal background checks may still access expunged records.