Expungement lawyers: what they do, what they cost, and how to find one

Q: How much does an expungement lawyer cost?

Most expungement attorneys charge a flat fee of $800 to $3,500 per case. Simple, single-charge misdemeanors sit at the low end; multiple charges, felonies, or cases spread across more than one county run higher. Many attorneys offer free or low-cost initial consultations and accept payment plans. Court filing fees ($0–$500 depending on the state) are usually separate from the attorney fee.

Q: What does an expungement lawyer actually do?

An expungement lawyer confirms whether you are eligible under your state’s statute, pulls and verifies your official criminal record, prepares and files the petition with the correct court, serves the prosecutor and any required agencies, and appears at a hearing if one is scheduled. If the prosecutor objects, the attorney argues your case. After the order is granted they confirm the record is removed from state and private databases.

Q: Is hiring an expungement lawyer worth it?

For complex cases, yes. A denied petition can force you to wait months or years before you can refile, and a mistake on the paperwork is the most common reason petitions are rejected. An attorney who handles expungements routinely knows the local judges, the prosecutor’s tendencies, and the exact statutory language your petition needs. For a clean, simple case, the value is smaller and filing yourself may make sense.

Last updated: June 2026

An expungement lawyer clears eligible arrests and convictions off your record so they stop showing up on background checks. The right attorney can be the difference between an approved petition and a denial that sets you back months. This guide explains exactly what an expungement lawyer does, what one costs, when hiring one is worth it versus filing yourself, and how to find a licensed expungement attorney in your state.

Not legal advice

ExpungeReady is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The information on this page is general educational content about state expungement and record-sealing procedures. Document-preparation services we link to are not a substitute for legal representation. Eligibility rules vary by state, county, and individual circumstances — small mistakes on a petition can cause the court to deny your request.

If your case involves felony convictions, multiple offenses, immigration consequences, professional licensing, federal records, or any uncertainty about eligibility, consult a licensed attorney in your state before filing.

ExpungeReady earns a commission on some links on this page. We only recommend providers we believe are useful for self-represented petitioners.

What an expungement lawyer does

Expungement (and its cousin, record sealing) is a court process. An expungement attorney handles every step of that process for you:

Confirms eligibility under your state’s statute — the single most important step, because filing for an ineligible offense gets you denied.
Pulls and verifies your official record so the petition matches what the state actually has on file.
Prepares and files the petition with the correct court, using the exact statutory language and forms.
Serves the prosecutor and any agencies the law requires.
Appears at the hearing if one is scheduled, and argues your case if the prosecutor objects.
Confirms removal from state repositories and private background-check databases after the order is granted.

Not sure whether your case is simple or complex? Our consultation-prep worksheet organizes the same questions an attorney will ask, so your first call is faster and cheaper.

How much does an expungement lawyer cost?

Most expungement attorneys charge a flat fee per case, not an hourly rate, so you know the price up front. Typical ranges:

Case type	Typical attorney flat fee
Single dismissed charge or arrest	$400 – $1,000
First-offense misdemeanor	$800 – $1,500
Multiple misdemeanors / multi-county	$1,500 – $2,500
Felony expungement or sealing	$1,800 – $3,500+

Court filing fees are separate and range from $0 to about $500 depending on the state — see our full breakdown of expungement costs by state. Many attorneys offer a free consultation and payment plans, so ask about both when you call.

Do you actually need a lawyer?

You can often file yourself when:

You have a single arrest or conviction in one county
The case ended in dismissal, acquittal, or a completed first-offender program
You’ve finished any required waiting period
You have no pending charges and no immigration or professional-license concerns

Hire an expungement lawyer when:

The conviction is a felony
You have multiple cases, or cases in more than one county
The case involved a deferred adjudication, withhold of adjudication, or set-aside
You are not a U.S. citizen (an attorney can advise on immigration consequences)
You hold or want a professional license
A prior petition was denied, or the prosecutor has objected before

If your case is on the simple end, our guide to filing expungement without a lawyer walks through the forms and fees state by state. If you’re on the fence, a consultation is usually free — there’s little downside to getting one professional opinion before you decide.

Find an expungement attorney in your state

Browse expungement attorneys organized by state and city. Every profile is built from public state-bar records, so you can confirm an attorney is currently licensed and in good standing before you call.

Prefer to start by talking through your options online? You can also get help from an online legal service:

Talk to a lawyer about your record online

How to choose a good expungement lawyer

Verify the license. Confirm the attorney is active and in good standing with your state bar. Every attorney in our directory is listed from public bar data for exactly this reason.
Make sure they do expungements regularly. A lawyer who files record-clearing petitions every week knows your local court’s quirks far better than a general practitioner doing one a year.
Get the fee in writing. Ask for a flat fee that states exactly what’s included — petition, filing, hearing, and follow-up confirmation.
Ask about timeline and odds. A straight answer about how long it takes and the realistic chance of approval is a good sign.
Use the free consultation. Bring your record and our prep worksheet so you get the most out of it.

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

How much does an expungement lawyer cost?

Most charge a flat fee of $800 to $3,500 per case. Simple single-charge misdemeanors sit at the low end; felonies or multi-county cases run higher. Many offer free consultations and payment plans. Court filing fees ($0–$500 depending on the state) are usually separate.

Do I need a lawyer to expunge my record?

Not always. For a single dismissed charge or a first-offense misdemeanor with a clean record since, many people file on their own. A lawyer is strongly recommended for felonies, multiple offenses, multi-county cases, deferred adjudications, immigration concerns, professional licenses, or a prior denial.

What does an expungement lawyer actually do?

They confirm eligibility, pull and verify your official record, prepare and file the petition with the right court, serve the prosecutor, appear at any hearing, and confirm the record is removed from state and private databases afterward.

How do I find a good expungement attorney near me?

Look for an attorney who is currently licensed and in good standing, who handles expungements regularly, and who quotes a clear flat fee in writing. Our directory lists attorneys from public state-bar records, by state and city, so you can confirm an active license before you call.

Is hiring an expungement lawyer worth it?

For complex cases, yes — a denied petition can force a long wait before you can refile, and paperwork mistakes are the top reason petitions are rejected. For a clean, simple case the value is smaller and filing yourself may make sense.