New expunction law reduces waiting period for non-violent misdemeanors

Everyone deserves access to meaningful employment, affordable housing, and education. Criminal record expunction is a lifeline for nearly two million North Carolinians, mostly people of color, that have been denied access to these essentials because of their criminal backgrounds.

Expunction, which erases a person’s criminal record, can mean increased job and housing opportunities, improved public safety, and a stronger economy. 

For more than a decade, criminal record expunction laws have steadily expanded to provide relief to more people. Most recently, expunction law has changed to allow certain people to become eligible for expunction sooner. The law, which passed this year, amends N.C. Gen. Statute 15A-145.5 to reduce the waiting period to expunge one “non-violent” misdemeanor from 5 years to 3 years.

This change is a step forward. It aligns North Carolina’s misdemeanor waiting period with research showing that after three to four years without a new conviction, people with misdemeanor convictions are not more likely to commit an offense when compared to people without convictions. It also brings North Carolina more in line with national trends: at least 19 states allow expunction or sealing of misdemeanor convictions after three years or less, including Mississippi, which has no waiting period for sealing a first-time nonviolent misdemeanor.

Reducing the waiting period for one misdemeanor conviction may allow approximately 30 thousand North Carolinians seeking second chances to access relief sooner – opening doors to meaningful employment, safe housing, education, and stability earlier.

We believe a better North Carolina is possible, where everyone has a fair chance. We encourage lawmakers to continue the work to streamline, expand, automate, and improve North Carolina record relief laws to remove barriers to opportunity, improve public safety, and strengthen the economy. 

If you want to better understand NC expunction laws, we encourage you to review our 2025 Summary of the Expunction Guide. It explains eligibility, required paperwork, and what to expect during the review process in clear, accessible language.