MS HB1079

Allows any person convicted of a felony to petition for expungement of one conviction after paying all fines and costs and completing their sentence five years prior, removing the previous requirement that the person be a "first offender"

Eliminates the list of specific felonies ineligible for expungement (including arson, drug trafficking, DUI offenses, felon in possession of firearm, sex offender registration failure, voyeurism, witness intimidation, abuse of vulnerable persons, and embezzlement), leaving only crimes of violence under Section 97-3-2 as ineligible

Retains existing provisions allowing misdemeanor expungements for first offenders and expungements for dismissed charges or acquittals

Maintains that a nonpublic record is retained by the Mississippi Criminal Information Center to determine first offender status in future proceedings, and district attorneys may keep nonpublic records for law enforcement purposes

Takes effect July 1, 2021