Free Expungement Help in Missouri
Last reviewed: May 27, 2026 · Resource links checked: May 28, 2026
Missouri's expungement law (RSMo § 610.140) was substantially expanded in 2018, but it still excludes DWI convictions — even a first-offense misdemeanor DWI cannot be expunged. If you have a DWI, talk to an attorney about whether a Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS) offers any relief. For everything else, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri in St. Louis and Legal Aid of Western Missouri in Kansas City are the two strongest free-help providers in the state. If you're in mid-Missouri, Mid-Missouri Legal Services covers Columbia and Jefferson City.
Quick answer: free expungement help in Missouri
In Missouri, free expungement help may be available through nonprofit legal aid, local clinics, court fee waivers, and eligibility screening programs. Start with the verified organizations below, then confirm whether your court costs or filing fees can be waived.
⚠️ Clean Slate / Automatic Sealing
Missouri does not have a Clean Slate automatic-sealing law. Record clearing is entirely petition-based under RSMo § 610.140. DWI convictions are explicitly excluded from eligibility.
How to get a fee waiver in Missouri
File an Affidavit of Indigency with the circuit clerk to waive the court filing fee for an expungement petition. The court filing fee is typically $250; fee waiver is available to income-qualifying petitioners.
Fee waivers (also called Affidavit of Indigency or In Forma Pauperis petition) are typically available if your household income is at or below 125–200% of the federal poverty level, or if you currently receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF, or veterans benefits based on need.
Who should start with free legal aid?
Start here if money is the barrier
Legal aid is usually the best first step if filing fees, attorney fees, or document costs would stop you from pursuing expungement or sealing. Most programs screen by income, household size, case type, and county.
Use clinics for screening
Expungement clinics are especially useful when you are not sure whether the record qualifies. Bring your case number and disposition so a clinic can tell you whether to file, wait, or use another remedy.
Use fee waivers for court costs
A fee waiver does not guarantee expungement, but it can remove the court filing cost. Ask the clerk or legal aid intake whether your state uses an indigency affidavit, in forma pauperis form, or fee waiver.
Use an attorney for complex records
If you have multiple counties, felonies, pending charges, immigration concerns, licensing issues, or a denied petition, ask legal aid whether you need full representation instead of brief advice.
Documents to gather before calling legal aid
- Government ID and current contact information.
- Case number, arrest date, charge, county, and court name.
- Certified disposition or docket sheet showing how the case ended.
- Proof that probation, parole, fines, fees, or restitution are complete, if applicable.
- Recent proof of income or public benefits if the organization screens by income.
- A short explanation of why you need the record cleared: work, housing, licensing, school, immigration, or family stability.
Verified free legal aid organizations in Missouri
Every organization below is a nonprofit, government-affiliated, law-school, court, or bar-backed resource. Resource links were browser-checked on May 28, 2026, but clinic schedules and eligibility rules change. Always confirm details directly with the organization before relying on a date, income limit, or service area.
- Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (St. Louis)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Legal Aid of Western Missouri (Kansas City)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Mid-Missouri Legal Services (Columbia / Jefferson City)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Missouri Legal Services statewide directory
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
Free expungement help by city in Missouri
Free expungement resources vary significantly by metro area. Here's what's available in the largest cities, including local legal aid offices, clinics, bar-backed programs, and reentry resources.
St. Louis / St. Louis County
- Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
- ArchCity Defenders (reentry / expungement focus)
- St. Louis Reentry (expungement clinic events)
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri covers St. Louis City and County and provides direct expungement legal help for income-qualifying clients. ArchCity Defenders specifically focuses on the intersection of criminal records and poverty in St. Louis — they run periodic expungement clinics and are a go-to for marginalized clients. The City of St. Louis also hosts occasional expungement fairs through the St. Louis Reentry initiative.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Kansas City / Jackson County
Legal Aid of Western Missouri covers Jackson, Platte, Clay, Cass, and Bates counties and handles expungement petitions for qualifying clients. Kansas City holds periodic record-sealing and expungement clinics — contact Legal Aid of Western Missouri for upcoming clinic dates.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Columbia / Mid-Missouri
Mid-Missouri Legal Services covers Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, and Moniteau counties. The University of Missouri School of Law Criminal Law Clinic in Columbia serves low-income clients and sometimes handles expungement matters — contact them to ask about current capacity.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Missouri free expungement — frequently asked questions
Can a Missouri DWI be expunged?
No. DWI convictions (and misdemeanor alcohol-related driving offenses) are specifically excluded from expungement under RSMo § 610.140. A Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS) on a first DWI means the conviction was never formally entered — which creates a different kind of record issue. An attorney can evaluate whether SIS applies to your case.
How long do I have to wait before petitioning for expungement in Missouri?
Generally 3 years from discharge (end of all supervision) for misdemeanors and 7 years for felonies. The waiting period may be shorter for certain low-level offenses. Only one expungement petition is permitted per lifetime for felonies.
Can I expunge a marijuana conviction in Missouri?
Yes. Amendment 3 (Article XIV § 2 of the Missouri Constitution, effective December 2022) specifically provides for expungement of marijuana possession convictions — including automatic expungement for offenses involving 3 oz or less. Larger amounts require a petition. This is a separate, faster process from the general § 610.140 expungement.
What if you do not qualify for free help?
If legal aid cannot take your case, you may still have options: file on your own, request a fee waiver, wait for automatic Clean Slate sealing, or consult a licensed attorney for a paid eligibility review. ExpungeReady does not have verified Missouri attorney listings yet, so start with the guides below.
- Complete Missouri expungement guide → — eligibility, process, statutes, and timelines
- How much does expungement cost? (state-by-state)
- What shows up on a background check after expungement?
- ← All states: free expungement help directory