MO HB805

Allows persons convicted of nonviolent crimes, misdemeanors, or nonviolent drug violations to petition a circuit court to expunge arrest, plea, trial, and conviction records.

Requires applicants to wait at least four years after completing imprisonment, probation, or parole and demonstrate: high school diploma or GED, either an associate's degree or two consecutive years of employment with same employer, completion of 700 hours of community service, and no new criminal convictions during the four-year waiting period.

Upon expungement, records become confidential and available only to parties or by court order for good cause; person may legally deny the arrests, pleas, trials, or convictions ever occurred.

Petitioner must file in circuit court civil division in the county where at least one offense occurred, naming all law enforcement agencies, courts, prosecutors, and record repositories that may possess relevant records.

Court must hold hearing no sooner than 30 days after petition filing; Supreme Court shall establish procedural rules similar to small claims procedures; persons limited to one expungement grant under this section.