The Brief
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How to Expunge a Criminal Record in Massachusetts
Massachusetts offers expungement for certain wrongful or outdated criminal records. Learn who qualifies and how it works.
Unlike sealing, expungement wipes the record out completely—as if it never existed.
Massachusetts allows expungement in limited cases:
- If the record was created due to identity theft or fraud.
- If the offense is eligible under the one-time youthful offender statute.
- If the record resulted from police or court error.
Expungement is hard to get, but powerful if granted. It requires filing a petition, supplying documentation, and often appearing for a hearing.