Free Expungement Help in New York
Last reviewed: May 27, 2026 · Resource links checked: May 28, 2026
New York's Clean Slate Act is one of the newest in the country — it took effect November 16, 2024. If your conviction is old enough (3 years for misdemeanors, 8 years for felonies) and you've had no new convictions, your record may already be in the process of being sealed automatically. You don't need to file anything. The Legal Aid Society of NYC is the best resource in the city; Empire Justice covers upstate.
Quick answer: free expungement help in New York
In New York, free expungement help may be available through nonprofit legal aid, local clinics, court fee waivers, and Clean Slate automatic sealing programs. Start with the verified organizations below, then confirm whether your court costs or filing fees can be waived.
✅ Clean Slate / Automatic Sealing
Yes — the New York Clean Slate Act (CPL 160.57) took effect November 16, 2024 and automatically seals eligible misdemeanors after 3 years and felonies after 8 years with no application, no fee, and no attorney needed.
How to get a fee waiver in New York
Clean Slate sealing is fee-free and automatic. CPL 160.59 motion-based sealing has a ~$95 motion fee; indigency waiver available on application.
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 New York
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 Aid Society of NYC
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Bronx Defenders (re-entry / sealing)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Brooklyn Defender Services
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Neighborhood Defender Service
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Empire Justice Center (upstate NY)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
Free expungement help by city in New York
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.
New York City (all five boroughs)
Each NYC borough has a dedicated defender organization with reentry/sealing services. Legal Aid Society covers Manhattan and often all boroughs. For Clean Slate questions specifically, call the organization that represented you in the original case — they maintain your file.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Buffalo / Rochester / Upstate NY
- Empire Justice Center
- Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo
- Monroe County Public Defender's Office Reentry Unit
Empire Justice covers the entire upstate region and is the go-to for Clean Slate Act questions outside NYC. Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo covers Erie and Niagara counties. Monroe County's Public Defender Reentry Unit specifically handles sealing and Clean Slate applications in Rochester.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
New York free expungement — frequently asked questions
How do I know if New York Clean Slate already sealed my record?
Request your own criminal history from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) through the New York State CRIM system. If the sealing has been processed, the sealed conviction will not appear on the public-access report. If you believe your record should be sealed and it isn't showing as sealed yet, contact the DCJS Office of Justice Research and Performance.
Does New York Clean Slate cover all convictions?
No. Violent felonies (as defined under PL 70.02), sex offenses requiring registration, terrorism-related offenses, and class A felonies are excluded. All other eligible convictions seal automatically after the waiting period.
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 currently has New York attorney listings you can compare.