Expungement Lawyer in Shreveport

Louisiana Record Clearing for Caddo, Bossier & DeSoto Parish

A past arrest or conviction on your public record can follow you into job applications, housing screenings, and professional licensing decisions. Under Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971 through 999, expungement removes that record from public access without destroying the underlying file. Law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and certain state licensing boards retain access, but the general public doesn’t. Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law handles expungement matters for clients throughout Shreveport and the surrounding parishes.

Who Qualifies for an Expungement in Louisiana

Eligibility depends on what happened in your case and how much time has passed since you completed your sentence, probation, or parole. Louisiana law recognizes several distinct categories.

Non-Conviction Arrests

If your case ended in a dismissal, acquittal, or a decision by the district attorney not to prosecute, you’re generally eligible to file without any waiting period. These are among the most straightforward expungement filings.

Misdemeanor Convictions

Most misdemeanor convictions become eligible five years after you complete your sentence, provided you haven’t accumulated other convictions or pending felony charges during that window. Louisiana also limits how frequently a misdemeanor expungement can be granted, and DWI convictions face a separate, longer restriction, generally capped at one expungement every 10 years.

Felony Convictions

Felony records generally require 10 years from the completion of your sentence before you can file. A first offender pardon, which Louisiana grants automatically to eligible first-time felony offenders who complete their sentence without a subsequent conviction, can serve as an independent basis for filing, except for crimes of violence and sex offenses.

Offenses Louisiana Excludes from Expungement

Not every conviction is eligible. Louisiana law draws firm lines around certain offense categories, and no waiting period changes that.

• Crimes of violence as defined by Louisiana statute, with only narrow statutory exceptions
• Sex offenses and criminal offenses against minors
• Misdemeanor convictions arising from a sexual act, stalking, or an act of domestic violence
• Most violations of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, though the statute carves out exceptions for certain possession offenses

If you’re unsure whether your offense falls into one of these categories, a consultation with a Shreveport expungement attorney is the right starting point. The classifications aren’t always intuitive, and an overlooked exception can make a real difference.

The Louisiana Expungement Filing Process

Filing an expungement motion involves several distinct steps, each with its own requirements and timelines.

Where to File

The motion goes to the court that handled the original case. For First Judicial District Court matters, that’s the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court in Shreveport. Municipal ordinance cases go through Shreveport City Court. Bossier Parish cases are filed with the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court. For matters handled in DeSoto Parish, the motion is filed in the parish where the case was handled.

Background Check & Filing Costs

Filing requires a criminal background check from the Louisiana State Police or your parish sheriff’s office, dated within the past 60 days. Louisiana caps total expungement costs at $550, and those fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome.

The District Attorney Objection Window

After the motion is filed, the district attorney and other notified agencies have up to 60 days to object. If no objection is filed, the court may grant the motion. An objection triggers a hearing where the matter is argued before a judge.

Certificate of Compliance

Once a judge signs the order, the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information coordinates removal of the record from public access, and the Louisiana State Police mails a Certificate of Compliance confirming the process is complete. Beginning January 1, 2025, Louisiana also created an automated expungement request process through the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information for certain eligible records, which may streamline filing for qualifying individuals.

A Former Prosecutor’s Perspective on Your Expungement

The 60-day district attorney review window is where many expungement motions face their greatest risk. Our team includes a former prosecutor turned defense lawyer, and that background shapes how we approach every filing. We understand what the reviewing attorney is looking for, what tends to prompt an objection, and how to present a motion that accounts for that scrutiny from the start.

We take time at the outset to understand your circumstances, explain each step in plain terms, and keep you informed throughout. No two records are alike, and neither are our clients’ goals, so our criminal defense approach is tailored to fit your situation.

Start the Conversation About Clearing Your Record

If you’re carrying a past arrest or conviction in Shreveport, Bossier City, Caddo Parish, Bossier Parish, or DeSoto Parish, we’d like to talk through your situation. A consultation with our expungement lawyer in Shreveport can give you a clear picture of whether you’re eligible, what the process looks like for your specific record, and what to expect along the way.