CAN I SEAL MY RECORD IF I WASN’T CONVICTED?

How to Clear Your Criminal Record in Missouri After Charges Are Dropped or Dismissed

You were arrested. Maybe you were even charged. But the case was dismissed—or you were found not guilty. That should be the end of it, right?

Not exactly.

In Missouri, even if you’re not convicted, the arrest and charge can still show up on background checks. That means employers, landlords, and even nosy neighbors may still see a criminal charge that never led to a conviction.

So the next question is:

“Can I get my record sealed or expunged if I wasn’t convicted?”

Yes — you can. And the skilled and affordable Kansas City criminal defense lawyers at KC Defense Counsel can help you do it the right way.

WHAT’S ON YOUR RECORD AFTER A CASE IS DISMISSED

Missouri doesn’t automatically erase your record just because your case was dropped. If you were arrested, fingerprinted, or charged, even if no conviction occurred—those records still exist in public databases.

That means background checks might reveal:

The arrest date
The charge
The outcome (e.g., “Dismissed” or “Nolle Prosequi”)
The court or jurisdiction

And yes, even “not guilty” looks suspicious to many employers.

WHAT IS EXPUNGEMENT IN MISSOURI?

Expungement is a legal process that seals your criminal record from public view. In Missouri, it means:

Arrest and court records are hidden from most background checks
You can legally deny the arrest or charge in many situations
Law enforcement and certain agencies may still access the records—but most employers and landlords cannot

Missouri expanded its expungement laws in 2018, allowing more people than ever to clear their names, even when there was no conviction.

AM I ELIGIBLE TO SEAL MY RECORD IF I WASN’T CONVICTED IN MISSOURI?

If your case was:

Dismissed
You were found not guilty
The prosecutor declined to file charges (No Information)

…then you likely qualify to have the record expunged immediately under Missouri law — according to RSMo 610.140.

There is no waiting period if:

No charges were filed after arrest
Charges were dropped
You were acquitted (not convicted)

But if you pled guilty and completed a diversion or SIS (Suspended Imposition of Sentence), you’ll typically have to wait 3 years for misdemeanors or 7 years for felonies before applying for expungement.

WHAT IF MY CASE WAS ON MISSOURI CASENET?

If your case appeared on Missouri’s Casenet system, it may still show up in search results, even if you weren’t convicted.

Once you receive an expungement, you can request that your name be removed from public view, helping protect your privacy and reputation.

HOW CAN KC DEFENSE COUNSEL HELP YOUR CASE?

We’ve handled hundreds of expungements across Missouri for clients who were charged—but never convicted. Here’s what we’ll do:

File the petition for expungement
Notify all necessary agencies and courts
Represent you at the expungement hearing (if one is required)
Help you get off Casenet
Provide you with documentation to prove your record has been cleared

Our goal? Make sure your past doesn’t follow you into the future.

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T WAIT TO SEAL YOUR RECORD

Even if you weren’t convicted, that old charge can still:

Cost you job opportunities
Raise red flags in background checks
Affect your ability to get housing, loans, or professional licenses

The longer you wait, the more damage it can do. And the truth is—you’ve already done the hard part. You weren’t convicted. Now let’s clean it up.

CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED KANSAS CITY CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER NEAR YOU

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Missouri but never convicted, don’t let the system keep punishing you.

Contact KC Defense Counsel today to see if you’re eligible for expungement. Our skilled and affordable Missouri criminal defense attorneys can help guide you through the process, file everything correctly, and help you get the fresh start you deserve.