Does a felony go away after 7 years in Ohio?
Asked by: Rene Kunde | Last update: November 14, 2025Score: 5/5 (60 votes)
To seal a fourth- or fifth-degree felony, you must wait 12 months; to seal a third-degree felony, you must wait 36 months if it is the only one on your criminal record. To expunge felonies of these degrees, you must wait 120 months (10 years) after the record is successfully sealed.
Do felonies go away after 7 years in Ohio?
Contrary to popular belief, a criminal record is not automatically sealed, expunged, nor does it disappear after a number of years. In fact, a felony will stay on one's record until an application for expungement is filed with the Court to expunge and/or seal a record.
Do felonies drop after 7 years?
In California, a felony conviction stays on your record forever, if you do not get it expunged. You may be eligible for an expungement if you did not serve time in state prison.
What felonies cannot be expunged in Ohio?
- Any first- or second-degree felony,
- Any violent crime,
- DUI/OVI,
- Sexual battery,
- Rape,
- Sexual imposition,
- Gross sexual imposition,
- Domestic Violence,
How long do felonies show up on background checks in Ohio?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act
Requirements for commercial criminal record reporting agencies: Agencies can report convictions of any age. Agencies may not report arrests or other non conviction cases that are more than 7 years old. Agencies must insure that their information is correct, complete, and up to date.
Does a criminal record clear after 7 years?
Will a felony show up on a background check after 10 years?
Under Cal. Civ. Code 1786.18(a)(7), California mandates that a conviction can't be reported when it's older than seven years. Arrests that didn't lead to convictions can't be reported regardless of how much time has elapsed.
How far back do Ohio background checks go?
How Far Back Can a Background Check for Employment in Ohio Go? The seven-year lookback period under the FCRA applies to Ohio employment background checks.
How much does it cost to get felonies expunged in Ohio?
EXPUNGEMENT APPLICATION INFORMATION
A non-refundable $50 filing fee is to be paid at the Criminal Clerk's office at the time of application for expungement of a Conviction. No filing fee is required for Acquittals or Dismissals.
What kind of felonies can be expunged?
California Law
For example, in California, felony convictions can only be expunged if: no time was served in state prison, felony probation was successfully completed, and. you are not currently facing criminal charges, on probation, or serving another sentence.
What is the new law for expungement in Ohio?
As of October 2023, Ohio law was expanded to allow for non-convictions (not guilty, dismissals, no bills) to be sealed AND expunged. Previously, only sealing was available. There are no exceptions to what non- conviction can be sealed, but there are exceptions to what non-conviction can be expunged.
What is the 7 year rule?
The 7 year rule
No tax is due on any gifts you give if you live for 7 years after giving them - unless the gift is part of a trust. This is known as the 7 year rule.
Does your criminal record clear after 7 years in the USA?
Many people mistakenly think that United States criminal records automatically clear after 7 years. This is inaccurate. However, after 5 to 10 years, you may be eligible for expungement, depending on state law. At that point, you can file a petition with the court to have your criminal record expunged.
Can you get a passport with a felony?
Most convicted felons in the US can obtain a passport after completing their sentence. That said, certain felony convictions can still disqualify you from getting a passport. Other reasons for being denied a US passport include failing to pay child support or having significant outstanding federal tax debts.
Can a felon own a gun after 10 years in Ohio?
Generally speaking, a convicted felon does not have the right to bear arms in Ohio unless they have their gun rights restored. In other words, most people with felony convictions in Ohio cannot possess firearms.
How to get a felony sealed in Ohio?
Expungement of Felony Conviction
An Eligible Offender may apply to the sentencing court for a felony expungement and sealing of the record of their conviction at the expiration three years from the termination of their case when convicted of a felony offense.
Do felony charges ever go away?
Felonies stay on your criminal record for the rest of your life. However, if you seek expungement, it is possible to clear your record of the offense.
How to find out if your criminal record has been expunged?
You can contact the court that issued the expungement order to determine if your records have been successfully expunged or sealed.
Will my expunged record show up on a background check in Ohio?
In most cases, sealed/expunged records will not appear on background checks. This means it may be easier for you to apply for a job, professional license, get housing, apply to college or apply for credit. But there are exceptions when sealed records may be accessed by some employers or agencies.
What felonies Cannot be expunged in the state of Ohio?
Violent crimes with first-degree misdemeanor or felony charges cannot be expunged, with the exception of first-degree misdemeanor convictions for inciting to violence (ORC 2917.01), assault (ORC 2903.13), riot (ORC 2917.03), or inducing panic (ORC 2917.31).
What is the Clean Slate Act in Ohio?
The Clean Slate Initiative passes and implements laws that automatically clear eligible records for people who have completed their sentence and remained crime-free, and expands who is eligible for clearance.
What is the 7 year rule in Ohio?
The FCRA includes a seven-year rule that prohibits background check companies from reporting certain types of adverse information that is older than seven years when the position the applicant has applied for pays a salary of less than $75,000 per year, which will be explained below.
Do I have to disclose a felony after 7 years in Ohio?
The FCRA restricts non-conviction information reported by a CRA to a 7-year lookback period which includes arrests, civil judgments, tax liens, and most credit report information. It excludes bankruptcies, which may be reported for up to 10 years and criminal convictions, which may be reported indefinitely.
What does an Ohio background check show?
The Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) regularly processes about a million background checks a year. BCI completes such background checks by comparing fingerprints received against a database of criminal fingerprints to determine if there is a criminal record.
Does your criminal record clear after 7 years?
Some people have the misconception that their criminal record will “clear” after a period of 7 years. This is a misnomer. Although your criminal record does not automatically clear after 7 years, you can take steps to have your case expunged or your record sealed.