MS HB829

Expands felony expungement eligibility by removing nine specific crime categories from the ineligible list, leaving only crimes of violence as defined in Section 97-3-2 ineligible for expungement.

Allows felons who have paid all criminal fines and court costs to petition for expungement five (5) years after completing all sentence terms and conditions, with courts determining eligibility based on rehabilitation.

Limits individuals to one (1) felony expungement, with multiple convictions arising from the same facts counting as a single expunction.

Requires petitioners to give the district attorney ten (10) days' written notice before any hearing and mandates courts provide specific written findings if denying a petition.

Effective date is July 1, 2023.