2014 Louisiana Laws
Code of Criminal Procedure
CCRP 978 - Motion to expunge record of arrest and conviction of a felony offense

Art. 978. Motion to expunge record of arrest and conviction of a felony offense

A. Except as provided in Paragraph B of this Article, a person may file a motion to expunge his record of arrest and conviction of a felony offense if either of the following apply:

(1) The conviction was set aside and the prosecution was dismissed pursuant to Article 893(E) of this Code.

(2) More than ten years have elapsed since the person completed any sentence, deferred adjudication, or period of probation or parole based on the felony conviction, and the person has not been convicted of any other criminal offense during the ten-year period, and has no criminal charge pending against him. The motion filed pursuant to this Subparagraph shall include a certification obtained from the district attorney which verifies that, to his knowledge, the applicant has no convictions during the ten-year period and no pending charges under a bill of information or indictment.

B. No expungement shall be granted nor shall a person be permitted to file a motion to expunge the record of arrest and conviction of a felony offense if the person was convicted of the commission or attempted commission of any of the following offenses:

(1) Unless otherwise permissible under Article 893(E) of this Code, a crime of violence as defined by or enumerated in R.S. 14:2(B).

(2)(a) Notwithstanding any provision of Article 893 of this Code, a sex offense or a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor as each term is defined by R.S. 15:541, or any offense which occurred prior to June 18, 1992, that would be defined as a sex offense or a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor had it occurred on or after June 18, 1992.

(b) Any person who was convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile (R.S. 14:80) prior to August 15, 2001, is eligible for an expungement pursuant to the provisions of this Title if the offense for which the offender was convicted would be defined as misdemeanor carnal knowledge of a juvenile (R.S. 14:80.1) had the offender been convicted on or after August 15, 2001. The burden is on the mover to establish that the elements of the offense of conviction are equivalent to the current definition of misdemeanor carnal knowledge of a juvenile as defined by R.S. 14:80.1. A copy of the order waiving the sex offender registration and notification requirements issued pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 15:542(F) shall be sufficient to meet this burden.

(3) Unless otherwise permissible under Article 893(E) of this Code, a violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, except that a conviction for possession of a controlled dangerous substance as provided for in R.S. 40:966(C), 967(C), 968(C), or 969(C), or a conviction for possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute may be expunged pursuant to the provisions of this Title.

C. The motion to expunge a record of arrest and conviction of a felony offense shall be served pursuant to the provisions of Article 979 of this Code.

D. Expungement of a record of arrest and conviction of a felony offense shall occur only once with respect to any person during a fifteen-year period.

Acts 2014, No. 145, §1.