Often, yes -- but "off your record" usually means sealed, not erased, and eligibility depends on how the case ended, what the offense was, and how much time has passed. In Minnesota this process is called expungement. A dismissed case or acquittal is generally easier to clear than a conviction; some offenses have waiting periods, and some are not eligible at all. The details decide everything.
This is one of the most hopeful questions a person can ask after a case, and the honest answer is: many records can be cleared, but not automatically and not all of them.
What Expungement Actually Does
Expungement seals a record from public view rather than physically destroying it. A sealed record generally will not show up on standard background checks, though certain agencies may retain access in defined circumstances. [VERIFY: confirm current scope of Minnesota expungement (sealing vs. destruction) and who retains access under the expungement statutes (Minn. Stat. ch. 609A) before publishing.]
What Tends to Affect Eligibility
- How the case ended. Cases resolved in your favor -- dismissals, acquittals, or certain diversions -- are generally the most readily eligible. [VERIFY: confirm current standards for expunging non-conviction records.]
- The level and type of offense. Many misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and some felonies can be eligible after set periods; certain serious offenses are excluded. [VERIFY: confirm the current eligible-offense list and exclusions.]
- Waiting periods. Convictions typically require a crime-free waiting period that varies by offense level before you can petition. [VERIFY: confirm the current waiting periods by offense level.]
- Firearms note. Even where a record is expunged, expungement of a crime of violence generally does not restore firearm rights. [VERIFY: confirm this interaction between expungement and firearm eligibility before publishing.]
Automatic vs. Petition
Minnesota has moved toward automatic expungement for certain eligible records in some circumstances, while others still require you to file a petition. Which path applies depends on the case. [VERIFY: confirm the current scope of automatic expungement and which records still require a petition before publishing -- this area has changed and is the most likely to be out of date.]
What this means for you: the right question is not "can records be expunged" (many can) but "is mine eligible, and when." That is a case-specific eligibility check against the current statute, and it is worth doing rather than assuming either that everything clears or that nothing does.
Key Terms
- Expungement: Sealing a record from public view.
- Non-conviction record: A dismissal, acquittal, or similar outcome, generally more readily eligible.
- Waiting period: The crime-free time required before petitioning to expunge a conviction.
- Automatic expungement: Sealing that occurs without a petition for certain eligible records.
Updated May 18, 2026 · Law verified as of August 10, 2026. This article is general information about Minnesota law, not legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does expungement erase my record completely?
Generally it seals the record from public view rather than destroying it. Certain agencies may retain limited access in defined situations.
Can I expunge a case that was dismissed?
Cases that ended in your favor, such as dismissals and acquittals, are generally among the most readily eligible for expungement.
Can a conviction be expunged?
Many can be, after a crime-free waiting period that depends on the offense level, though certain serious offenses are excluded. The current statute controls.
Is expungement automatic now?
Minnesota has adopted automatic expungement for certain eligible records in some circumstances, while others still require a petition. Which applies depends on your case and current law.
Will expungement restore my gun rights?
Not necessarily. Expungement of a crime of violence generally does not restore firearm rights, which is governed separately.
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Read the guideThe information on this article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.