MS HB311

Expands felony expungement eligibility from a specific list to any felony that is not classified as a crime of violence under Mississippi Code Section 97-3-2, effective July 1, 2019.

Allows expungement petitions five (5) years after successful completion of all sentence terms and conditions, with a limit of one (1) felony expunction per person.

Permits persons under age 21 at time of offense to petition for expungement of one (1) felony conviction five (5) years after sentence completion, excluding crimes of violence and drug distribution-related felonies at court discretion.

Requires petitioner to provide ten (10) days' written notice to the district attorney before hearing and allows court to grant petition if applicant is determined to be rehabilitated.

Retains nonpublic records at the Mississippi Criminal Information Center for determining first offender status in subsequent proceedings, and permits employers to ask applicants about prior expunged convictions.