Living with a felony conviction in Minneapolis can feel like carrying a permanent burden. Every job application, housing rental, and professional license inquiry becomes a reminder of your past. You’re probably wondering if there’s a way to move forward and rebuild your life. The good news is that Minnesota’s expungement laws, including the groundbreaking Clean Slate Act, offer new hope for sealing felony convictions.

 

Attorney Christopher Keyser of Keyser Law P.A., a Minneapolis, MN criminal defense law firm with a proven track record of over 350 successful expungements and a 97% success rate, understands how to handle this process efficiently and effectively.

 

What Minnesota Felony Expungement Means for Defendants

 

Expungement in Minnesota doesn’t destroy your criminal record, it seals it from public view. This means employers, landlords, and licensing boards typically can’t access your sealed records during background checks.

 

However, law enforcement, immigration officials, and certain government agencies may still see expunged records for specific purposes. Understanding this distinction is essential when considering whether expungement is right for your situation.

 

What the Clean Slate Act Means for Minnesota Felony Records

 

The Minnesota Clean Slate Act took effect January 1, 2025, revolutionizing how felony expungements work.

This law provides automatic expungement for eligible nonviolent felonies after a five-year waiting period following sentence completion. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension now reviews cases annually and automatically seals qualifying records. While implementation faced initial delays, automatic expungements began in June 2025 and continue daily.

 

Eligible Felony Convictions for Minnesota Expungement

 

Not all felonies qualify for expungement in Minnesota. Under Minnesota Statute § 609A.02, specific felonies eligible for expungement include:

 

• Controlled substance offenses
• Certain fraud crimes
• Various statutory violations

 

However, some offenses are typically ineligible for expungement, including:

 

• Serious offenses requiring predatory offender registration
• Violent felonies
• Crimes against persons

 

Our Minneapolis expungement lawyers can review your specific conviction to determine eligibility under current Minnesota law.

 

Traditional Petition-Based Minnesota Felony Expungement Process

 

For felonies not covered by automatic expungement, the traditional petition process remains available. This involves several critical steps that require experienced legal guidance:

 

• Completing expungement forms: Using official Minnesota court forms to petition for record sealing
• Serving notice to agencies: Providing copies to all agencies holding records you want expunged
• Court hearing preparation: Presenting compelling arguments for why expungement serves justice and public welfare
• Agency responses: Addressing any objections from prosecutors or law enforcement agencies
• Follow-up compliance: Ensuring all agencies properly seal records after court approval

 

The typical Minnesota expungement case takes approximately 6-7 months to complete, with courts requiring at least 60 days’ notice to all relevant agencies.

 

 

Waiting Periods for Different Minnesota Felony Convictions

 

Minnesota expungement law establishes specific waiting periods before felony convictions become eligible for sealing:

 

• Standard felonies: 5-year crime-free period after sentence
• Stayed adjudication: Eligible after 1 year
• Completed diversion programs: Eligible after 1 year
• Dismissed charges: Eligible after 1 year

 

Understanding these timelines helps defendants plan their expungement strategy effectively.

 

Cannabis Felony Expungements Under Minnesota Law

 

Minnesota created a special Cannabis Expungement Board to review felony-level cannabis convictions for possible expungement or resentencing. This board, composed of Board of Pardons members and other officials, reviews convictions for cannabis possession or sale in the first through fifth degrees. Many cannabis felonies that previously carried long-term consequences may now qualify for relief under these expanded provisions.

 

Your Rights During Minnesota Expungement Proceedings

 

During expungement proceedings, you have the right to present evidence supporting your petition, such as:

 

• Character references
• Employment records
• Community involvement

 

The court considers factors like rehabilitation, public safety, and the nature of your original offense. Experienced Minneapolis expungement attorneys help clients gather compelling evidence and present the strongest possible case for sealing their records.

 

Life After Minnesota Expungement: What You Gain

 

Successful felony expungement opens doors that were previously closed. You can legally answer “no” when most applications ask about criminal convictions, pursue professional licenses that were previously unavailable, and access housing opportunities without automatic disqualification. The psychological benefit of moving past your criminal record often proves just as valuable as the practical advantages.

 

 

Get Help with a Minneapolis, MN Felony Expungement Lawyer Today

 

Don’t let a felony conviction define your future. Expungement petitions require legal skill. Christopher Keyser, a Certified Criminal Law professional and former Lieutenant Colonel with federal experience, brings the knowledge and insight needed to handle the process successfully. Whether you qualify for automatic expungement under the Clean Slate Act or must petition the court, skilled representation improves your chances.

 

Contact Keyser Law P.A., your Minneapolis expungement lawyer, at 612‑338‑5007 or reach us online for a free consultation. We’ll help seal your past and protect your future.