Criminal records & expungement
Does a Misdemeanor Stay on Your Record?
Last updated June 13, 2026
- Yes — a misdemeanor stays on your criminal record permanently unless you take action to expunge or seal it.
- It can appear on background checks for jobs, housing, and licensing.
- Many states let you petition to expunge or seal eligible misdemeanors after a waiting period.
- A dismissal or acquittal still leaves an arrest record that may need clearing.
attorney records across 37 states are searchable on this site right now.
Source: official state bar registration rosters.
It doesn't 'fall off' on its own
Unlike credit-report items, criminal records don't automatically disappear after a set number of years. A misdemeanor conviction — and often the underlying arrest — remains on your record until a court orders it expunged or sealed. The exception is a growing number of 'clean slate' states that automatically seal certain old, minor offenses.
Where it shows up
A misdemeanor can surface on employment, housing, and professional-licensing background checks. What a given check reveals depends on the screener and state law (some limit how far back reportable offenses go), but assume a misdemeanor is visible unless you've cleared it.
Clearing a misdemeanor
Most states allow expungement or sealing of eligible misdemeanors after a waiting period and a clean record. Eligibility and process are state-specific. Check your record, confirm eligibility, and consider an expungement attorney — verifying their license first is free.
Looking to clear your record?
Expungement and record-sealing rules vary by state and an expungement attorney can tell you if you qualify. Before you hire anyone, you can verify their license and disciplinary record here for free.
Frequently asked questions
How many years until a misdemeanor goes away?
It doesn't expire automatically. It stays until expunged or sealed by court order (or, in 'clean slate' states, auto-sealed after a set period for eligible offenses). The waiting period to petition varies by state.
Will a misdemeanor show up on a job background check?
It can. Whether it appears depends on the screening company and state limits on reportable history. Don't assume it's hidden — clear it if eligibility allows.
Does a dismissed misdemeanor still show up?
Sometimes the arrest and charge remain on your record even after a dismissal. You may need to petition to expunge or seal the arrest record itself.
Related guides
- Criminal Record Expungement: Costs, Timelines & How to Check
- If Charges Are Dismissed, Do You Still Have a Record?
- Do Felonies Go Away?
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.