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For anyone who’s ever been through the justice system, having a criminal record can feel like a life sentence even long after the case is closed.
That’s why expungement matters so much. Expungement provides individuals with a legal method to conceal certain convictions or arrests from the public, thereby creating new avenues for employment, housing, and other opportunities.
But expungement often brings with it a lingering anxiety: What happens if I get arrested again? Does that “clean slate” get wiped away? Can something you thought was in the past come back to hurt you?
At the Ikerd Law Firm, we’ve helped countless individuals seal past mistakes and defend their rights when life gets complicated again.
If you’re facing a new arrest and unsure how your expunged record might affect the outcome, reach out. We’re here to help.
Expungement is a legal process that allows individuals to remove certain criminal records from public view. It doesn’t destroy the record entirely. Instead, it removes it from public databases, so employers, landlords, and the general public can no longer see it in background checks or court records.
In essence, expungement makes it as if the offense never happened—for most practical civil purposes.
In Louisiana, the process involves filing a petition in the court where the offense took place, notifying law enforcement and prosecutors, and waiting for judicial review.
If approved, the record is pulled from the “public access” side of file systems like the Louisiana State Police database and court records. However, it remains visible to law enforcement, prosecutors, and certain state agencies on the “private access” side and under specific legal circumstances.
It’s worth noting that expungement is different from “sealing” a record, which is more common in other states. While sealing restricts access, expungement may offer broader protection under Louisiana law.
Not every offense is eligible, but many are, especially if they’re non-violent or stem from first-time offenses. In general, to qualify for expungement in Louisiana, you must have completed all sentencing requirements, including a jail sentence, as well as probation or parole.
Additionally, you’ll typically need to wait five years after a misdemeanor or ten years after a felony before applying.
Eligibility also depends on your history during the waiting period. If you’ve stayed out of legal trouble, your chances are much better. However, violent crimes, sex crimes involving minors, and certain repeat offenses are excluded altogether. Several misdemeanors that are considered sex crimes, domestic abuse battery, and stalking are also excluded from expungement by statute. See La. C. Cr. P. art. 977(C)(1).
The good news is that Louisiana’s expungement laws are more accessible than many people assume—especially if you’re trying to move forward after making a mistake.
Once a record is expunged, it is no longer accessible to most employers, landlords, or private background check companies. This means that for job applications, housing forms, and college admissions, you may not have to disclose an expunged conviction. (Depending on the question asked)
For many, this provides access to better jobs, professional licenses, financial aid, and a sense of peace that comes from letting go of the past.
That said, expungement does not make your record invisible to everyone. Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and judges can still see an expunged record under certain conditions if you’re arrested again.
Getting arrested again does not reverse your expungement. Your previous offense remains hidden from the public. However, within the legal system, that record may resurface.
Police departments, the FBI, and prosecutors maintain internal databases. When you’re arrested, those agencies can view your full history, including expunged records.
They can also use prior offenses in court unless, in federal court, said offense or crime is 10 years old (keep in mind that there is no 10-year limit under Louisiana law).
For example, a judge deciding whether to release you on bail may view a previously expunged conviction, just like any conviction, as a sign that you’re a higher risk.
A prosecutor may use that history to justify a harsher plea deal. Expunged cases can still shape how your case unfolds.
If you find yourself back in the criminal justice system, your prior history, expunged or not, can subtly influence your case.
If you’ve been in court before, even if the case was expunged, a judge may be less likely to grant leniency.
Similarly, prosecutors are often reluctant to offer generous plea deals to someone who appears to be a repeat offender, regardless of whether the previous conviction is technically expunged.
This doesn’t mean your expunged record will be mentioned outright in court or given to a jury. But it does mean the people making the key decisions in your case will likely see it—and that can absolutely affect the outcome.
If you’re convicted of the new charge, your expunged record could influence the sentence a judge imposes. Judges have discretion in sentencing and may consider your entire background, including past convictions that have been expunged.
For instance, if you were previously convicted of a DUI and expunged the record, a second DUI may still be treated as a repeat offense, carrying more severe penalties. (However, practically speaking it might not. To get a DUI expunged, you’d have to have at least 5 years without a new charge, and the State cannot use an old DUI to enhance a new one if it too old)
Similarly, someone with a prior expunged drug conviction might face stricter probation conditions or mandatory treatment.
While expungement offers a shield in many aspects of life, it doesn’t provide total immunity in criminal court, especially when it comes to sentencing.
In most civil and professional contexts, your expunged record cannot be used against you.
Employers, landlords, and schools typically won’t see the record, and you are generally not required to disclose it.
Most licensing boards are also restricted from considering expunged convictions, though there are exceptions.
If you’re applying for a job with the federal government, law enforcement, or certain healthcare or childcare roles, you may be required to disclose an expunged conviction.
Additionally, immigration authorities can sometimes access sealed records, depending on the type of offense.
When it comes to new criminal cases, expunged records may not be relevant as formal evidence due to their age (not the expungement), but they can still appear in background reviews conducted by the prosecution or judge. They might quietly shape the courtroom environment.
Also important: you cannot apply for expungement while you are still on probation or parole. All sentencing conditions must be fulfilled before the five or ten year waiting/cleansing period even begins. Additionally, you will have to wait a certain amount of time after completion of any supervision by the State before you can apply for an expungement.
A new arrest does not undo a past expungement, but it can affect whether you’re eligible to expunge the new offense. If the arrest leads to a conviction, you’ll usually have to wait another five or ten years before you’re eligible to apply for expungement again.
In some cases, repeat offenses can eliminate your eligibility altogether, especially if the new conviction is violent or considered a habitual offense.
This means that while your first expungement still stands, your pathway to future relief may be longer and more complicated.
This depends heavily on context.
If you’re asked whether “you have a conviction on your record,” and a prior conviction was expunged, you may be able to legally answer “no” in most everyday situations.
But if the question is whether you’ve ever been arrested or convicted, the answer is typically “yes,” since expungement doesn’t erase the arrest or conviction itself—it only hides the outcome from public view.
It is best to consult an employment attorney before filling out applications for jobs, because the phrasing of a question will determine the answer you need to give.
For applications involving sensitive positions, government work, or security clearances, full disclosure may still be required, even for expunged cases.
Failing to disclose your record in these settings could result in disqualification or worse, so it’s important to read the question carefully and ask for legal guidance if you’re unsure.
Expungement is a powerful legal remedy, but it’s not always straightforward. If you’re facing new charges, even after clearing your record, the stakes are high.
Understanding how your expunged record can be used and when it’s protected is essential to building a strong legal defense.
A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can walk you through:
The Ikerd Law Firm goes beyond defending charges. We protect your future. If you’ve had a record expunged and are now facing a new arrest, we’re here to help you understand your rights and fight back with a plan.
While expungement provides a fresh start, it’s not a guarantee. If you’re arrested again, that sealed record may still be accessible to law enforcement and the courts.
While it won’t be made public again, and it won’t show up in most background checks, it can affect how you’re treated by judges and prosecutors—and ultimately, the outcome of your case.
If you’re in this situation, the best step you can take is to talk to a skilled criminal defense lawyer. Don’t guess. Don’t wait. Know your rights, understand your options, and protect your future.
Contact us today for a consultation. Whether you’re preparing for court or just trying to understand what your expungement really protects, we’re ready to help.
