How Long do Felony or Misdemeanor Charges Last?
Felonies will stay on your record for at least three years. Then you may petition the court to have them sealed/expunged. You must wait until three years follow-ing the completion of your punishment. With misdemeanors, you can apply to have them sealed after only one year. All violent crimes and some other felonies will stay on your record forever. They are not eligible to be removed. Sex offenses will remain indefinitely. First-time offenders and other eligible criminals can apply. The state relaxed the laws quite a bit in 2012 for the sealing of criminal records.