^{Ohio’s New and Improved Expungement and Record Sealing Laws}

In Ohio, an expungement is the same as sealing a record

As of April 12, 2021, you may expunge:
– an unlimited number of felonies of the fourth and fifth degree, or
– two felonies of the third degree*, or
– one felony of the third degree and one felony of the fourth or fifth degree*, or
– unlimited misdemeanors as long as none of the offenses are prohibited offenses such as crimes of violence
or a violation of section 2921.43 of the Revised Code.
*can have no more than four misdemeanors in addition to these felonies.
(Note: these four or less misdemeanors can also be expunged). 

When you may apply:

At the expiration of one year after the offender’s final discharge if convicted of unlimited felonies of the fourth or fifth degree or a misdemeanors, so long as none of the offenses is a violation of section 2921.43 of the Revised Code.

At the expiration of three years after the offender’s final discharge if convicted of a felony of the third degree, so long as none of the offenses is a violation of section 2921.43 of the Revised Code, and you have no more than two felony convictions and not more than four misdemeanor convictions,

Expungement is a legal process provided under Section 2953 of the Ohio Revised Code that allows one to have any and all references to a prior criminal conviction cleared and their court file sealed. The result of this process is as if you were never convicted of the crime.

Note: F3s are expungeable under most circumstances and as long as they are not a crime of violence. See more about non-eligible offenses here.

The court, of course, has the discretion to determine if a person qualifies for expungement of their criminal record. Additionally, the prosecutor will be notified of the request and has the ability to object to records being sealed during a scheduled hearing.