MS HB1529

Requires automatic expungement of misdemeanor convictions (excluding traffic violations) without requiring a petition or court hearing, effective July 1, 2024.

Mandates courts automatically expunge records when an arrest was made, the person was released, and the case was dismissed, charges were dropped, no disposition occurred, or the person was found not guilty at trial.

Requires all law enforcement agencies and court clerks to report expungements to the Mississippi Justice Information Center, which must promptly expunge and destroy related records.

Maintains confidential databases of expunged records accessible only to district attorneys, prosecutors, the Attorney General, and the Law Enforcement Standards and Training Board for determining habitual offender status and first-offender eligibility.

Preserves existing $150 filing fee structure for felony expungement petitions under Section 99-19-72, with distribution to the Judicial System Operation Fund, District Attorneys Operation Fund, and circuit clerks.