Criminal records & expungement
Do Felonies Go Away?
Last updated June 13, 2026
Felony convictions don't expire on their own. Some can be expunged, sealed, or reduced depending on the state and offense — here's when a felony can be cleared.
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- No — a felony conviction stays on your record indefinitely unless a court expunges, seals, or sets it aside.
- Some states allow felony expungement or sealing for certain non-violent offenses after a long waiting period.
- Many serious felonies (violent or sex offenses) are never eligible.
- Some states allow reducing an eligible felony to a misdemeanor first.
Felonies don't expire on their own
A felony record persists until a court acts. There's no automatic clock that clears it. Whether you can clear it depends on the state, the specific offense, and your conduct since.
When a felony can be cleared
Many states permit expungement or sealing of certain non-violent felonies after a substantial waiting period and a clean record. Some also allow a felony to be reduced to a misdemeanor, or a conviction to be 'set aside' or vacated, each with different effects. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and some others are commonly excluded entirely.
Find out what applies to you
Identify the exact offense on your record, then check your state's eligibility rules or ask an expungement attorney — felony eligibility is the most complex area and varies the most. Verify any attorney's license and discipline record before hiring; it's free.
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Source: official state bar registration rosters.
Frequently asked questions
Can any felony be expunged?
No. Eligibility is limited and state-specific. Non-violent felonies are the most likely to qualify after a waiting period; violent and sex offenses are frequently excluded outright.
What does it mean to reduce a felony to a misdemeanor?
Some states let you petition to reclassify an eligible felony as a misdemeanor, which can restore certain rights and may make later expungement possible. It's not available everywhere or for every offense.
Do felonies affect gun rights even after expungement?
Sometimes. Restoration of firearm rights is governed by separate state and federal rules, and an expungement does not automatically restore them. Ask an attorney about your specific situation.
Related guides
- Criminal Record Expungement: Costs, Timelines & How to Check
- How Long Does It Take to Expunge a Felony?
- Does a Misdemeanor Stay on Your Record?
Numbers on this page are computed from official rosters — see our data sources & methodology. This guide is part of the criminal records & expungement series.
This site republishes official public records and is not legal advice, a lawyer referral service, or a consumer reporting agency. Information here may not be used to make decisions about employment, tenancy, or credit (FCRA). Records are shown as published by their official sources and may contain errors or be out of date; consult the linked official source to verify. To correct or dispute a record, contact the licensing authority of record.