Ohio Clean Slate Act Attorneys

What the Clean Slate Act seals automatically

Eligible misdemeanors are automatically sealed after a 1-year conviction-free waiting period from the completion of all sentence conditions. Eligible lower-level felonies (typically F4 and F5) are automatically sealed after a 4-year conviction-free waiting period. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the courts are responsible for running regular sweeps to identify and seal qualifying records.

Automatic sealing does not apply to: violent offenses (F1, F2, F3), sexually oriented offenses, offenses against a child, OVI and traffic offenses, domestic violence-related offenses, and cases with restitution not fully paid.

Petition-based sealing (ORC 2953.32) — still available

Even where automatic sealing applies or will eventually apply, petition-based sealing remains faster for people who cannot wait for the automated sweep. If the waiting period has elapsed and the record has not yet been automatically sealed, filing a petition for sealing achieves the same result on a more predictable timeline — usually 60 to 120 days.

Petition-based sealing also covers some offenses not eligible for automatic sealing. An Ohio attorney can identify the best path for a particular conviction.

What sealing does and does not do

A sealed conviction is removed from public databases, including private background-check companies that report from Ohio BCI. Most private employers, landlords, and licensing boards that rely on public records cannot see a sealed conviction.

Important limits: law enforcement always retains access. Jobs requiring BCI/FBI fingerprint checks (education, healthcare, childcare, financial services, security) may still surface sealed records. Federal background checks are not affected by state sealing orders.

How to confirm or pursue Clean Slate sealing in Ohio

1. Request a BCI personal criminal-history report. Go to the Ohio Attorney General's BCI page and request your own criminal-history record. This shows whether the Clean Slate automatic seal has already been applied.
2. Identify which convictions are still showing. Note which convictions remain visible. Check their offense level (F4, F5, misdemeanor) and completion date to determine whether they should have been sealed automatically.
3. Verify the waiting period has elapsed. Confirm the conviction-free waiting period: 1 year from sentence completion for eligible misdemeanors, 4 years for eligible felonies.
4. Consult an attorney about petition-based sealing. If the waiting period has passed but the automatic seal has not applied, an Ohio attorney can file a petition for sealing under ORC 2953.32. This is faster than waiting for the next automated sweep.
5. File the sealing application in the sentencing court. The attorney files in the court of common pleas or municipal court that handled the original conviction. Filing fees are usually $50–$100.
6. Prosecutor review period. The prosecutor receives notice and has a set period to object. If no objection is filed, the court may grant sealing without a hearing.
7. Attend hearing if requested. If the prosecutor objects or the court requests a hearing, appear with your attorney to demonstrate the waiting period has passed and you have no disqualifying convictions.
8. Confirm BCI and private database updates. After the sealing order is entered, request an updated BCI report in 30–60 days to confirm the record is no longer showing publicly.

Statutes cited

• Ohio Revised Code § 2953.57–2953.63 (Ohio Clean Slate Act, SB 288, 2023) — Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.57
• Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32 (Petition-based sealing of records) — Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.32

Frequently asked questions

Find an expungement attorney in Ohio

Browse verified attorneys in Ohio who handle clean slate act cases. Every listing is built from Ohio State Bar public records.