How long does a felony stay on your record in Mississippi?

Asked by: Tabitha Daugherty  |  Last update: February 8, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (4 votes)

In Mississippi, a felony conviction can stay on your record permanently, but you can petition for expungement after five years post-sentence completion for certain offenses (like theft, bad checks, drug possession), provided all fines/restitution are paid and you have no other felonies, with newer laws allowing even more expungements under specific conditions, though violent crimes, DUI-3+, and sex offenses are typically excluded.

How do you get a felony expunged in Mississippi?

Eligibility Requirements for Felony Expungement in Mississippi

  1. All fines, court costs, and restitution must be paid in full. ...
  2. A five-year waiting period must have passed. ...
  3. You must be rehabilitated. ...
  4. You cannot have a prior felony expungement. ...
  5. Public officials convicted of crimes related to their office are ineligible.

Do you have to disclose a felony after 7 years?

California prohibits CRAs from reporting convictions older than seven years under Cal. Civ. Code 1786.18(a)(7). This law also prohibits CRAs from reporting arrests not leading to convictions even if they occurred within the last seven years, but pending cases can be reported.

How far back does a background check go in Mississippi?

The FCRA controls how far back employment background checks in Mississippi can go. Under the FCRA, there is a seven-year lookback period for positions paying under $75,000. The following types of information will not be reported when it is seven or more years old: Arrests that did not result in convictions.

What felonies are not eligible for expungement?

Several types of offenses are automatically excluded from expungement eligibility in California:

  • Serious Sex Crimes Involving Minors. ...
  • Felonies That Resulted in Prison Time (Not Jail) ...
  • Crimes Related to Public Corruption. ...
  • Crimes Not Eligible Due to a Violation of Probation or Parole.

📝HOW TO EXPUNGE FELONY CRIMINAL RECORD || 5 Steps

37 related questions found

Do felony charges ever go away?

No, felony convictions in California do not automatically go away or “disappear” after seven years. The conviction remains on an individual's criminal record permanently, unless it is formally dismissed or reduced to a misdemeanor through a legal process.

Is it better to seal or expunge your record?

It's generally better to get a record expunged if you qualify, as it erases the record, making it as if it never happened and completely removing it from most background checks. Sealing a record hides it from public view, but law enforcement and some government agencies can still access it with a court order, making expungement the superior, though often harder to get, option for a truly clean slate. 

What is the hardest background check to pass?

The hardest background checks are typically US government security clearances (especially Top Secret/SCI) and those for high-level law enforcement, involving deep dives into criminal, financial (credit), employment, and personal history (interviews with associates) via extensive forms like the SF-86, far exceeding standard employment screening. These checks scrutinize all life aspects for integrity, reliability, and potential security risks, often requiring disclosure of past drug use, financial issues, and undisclosed criminal records, making them incredibly difficult to pass if issues exist. 

What shows up on a Mississippi background check?

A Mississippi background check reviews public records, databases, and other relevant sources to gather information about an individual. These searches often include criminal records, driving records, education and employment verification, and other relevant information.

How long does it take to get your record expunged in Mississippi?

The timeline for an expungement in Mississippi can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of your case and the backlog of cases in the court system. On average, the process may take several months to complete.

Do you have to tell your job if you get a felony?

It is up to you whether you tell an employer about your convictions.

What states are felon friendly?

These Are the States Most Likely to Hire Former Felons

  • California.
  • Colorado.
  • Kansas.
  • Maryland.
  • Massachusetts.
  • Montana.
  • Nevada.
  • New Hampshire.

How far back does section 8 background check go?

The look-back period for credit checks may extend 5 to 7 years, but financial issues like bankruptcy or poor credit are not automatic disqualifiers. The PHA is more concerned with whether the applicant can afford their portion of the rent under the Section 8 program.

What crimes cannot be expunged in Mississippi?

(There was an exception for people under the age of 21 at the time of the conviction.) Now, all first-time felony convictions can be expunged except for crimes of violence and a short list of other crimes.

What is the most common felony offense?

The most common felonies often involve drug offenses (possession/distribution), property crimes (theft, burglary), and DUI/DWI, though this varies by state; however, drug-related offenses consistently rank high, frequently comprising a large portion of total felony charges due to varying state laws on possession, trafficking, and sale. Property crimes like grand larceny and burglary also represent a significant chunk of felony cases, alongside aggravated assaults. 

What is the 270 day rule in Mississippi?

Mississippi's 270-day rule requires felony trials to start within 270 days of a defendant's arraignment, as stated in Mississippi Code § 99-17-1. This rule ensures speedy trials, but the state's Supreme Court also uses 270-day standards for appellate decisions after final briefing, with different timeframes for civil cases, though trial court standards are advisory, not mandatory deadlines. 

What makes you not pass a criminal background check?

Warning signs on a background check include multiple periods of unexplained unemployment, inconsistent information, short periods of employment, minimal relevant job experience, no required education or training, professional license issues, dangerous criminal convictions, job-related criminal convictions, bad ...

What is a red flag in a background check?

Red flags on a background check are inconsistencies or negative findings like criminal history (especially violent or financial crimes), employment/education discrepancies (lying about degrees or dates), poor credit, failed drug tests, or unprofessional social media that raise concerns about a candidate's integrity, judgment, or suitability for a role. Major red flags include criminal records, dishonesty, financial irresponsibility (for financial roles), and substance abuse issues.
 

How do I tell if I will pass a background check?

To know if you can pass a background check, honestly review your criminal record, driving history, credit, and employment/education details for major discrepancies or disqualifying offenses (like fraud for finance jobs), then proactively order your own check through a service like Checkr or GoodHire to see what employers see and prepare explanations for red flags like old misdemeanors. 

What looks bad on a background check?

Things that look bad on a background check include criminal records (especially job-related offenses), significant inconsistencies on resumes (like falsified degrees or job titles), frequent job hopping, unexplained employment gaps, poor credit (for financial roles), negative social media activity (hate speech, unprofessionalism), and failed drug/driving tests, all suggesting dishonesty, instability, or risk to the employer. 

When would you fail a background check?

Multiple issues can cause you to fail a background check, including relevant criminal convictions, misrepresentations made on your resume or during your interview, a failed drug test, poor credit record, poor driving history, bad references, and unexplained employment gaps.

What is the biggest red flag to hear when being interviewed?

The biggest red flags in an interview involve toxic culture indicators like an interviewer badmouthing former employees, being rude or disrespectful (distracted, interrupting, condescending), or showing a lack of transparency about the role or company, often signaled by vague answers, high turnover, or pressure to accept quickly; these suggest a poor environment where you won't be valued or supported.
 

What criminal records can not be expunged?

There are rules under California Penal Code Sections §1203.4 and §1203.4(a) for expungement. However, some convictions cannot be erased. You cannot have serious sex crimes, child pornography, murder, arson, terrorism, or certain vehicle crimes removed from your record.

Can the FBI see my expunged record?

A Level 2 FBI Background Check

A Level 2 check will even uncover those sealed or expunged records – especially if they involve the mistreatment of children, the elderly, or the disabled.

How do I check if my record is sealed?

You can contact the court that issued the expungement order to determine if your records have been successfully expunged or sealed.