What felonies cannot be expunged in Washington state?
Asked by: Eliseo Goyette | Last update: December 28, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (6 votes)
Generally speaking, Washington allows you to expunge most Class C felonies and some Class B felonies. You cannot petition a court to expunge Class A felonies. Nor can you vacate a violent offense under RCW 9.94A.
How long does a felony stay on your record in Washington state?
In most cases, a state-level felony charge will stay on your record for the rest of your life. The only way to remove this charge is to have the record vacated or expunged. However, only certain individuals qualify for these processes.
What is the New Hope Act in Washington state?
This is the legal term for removing criminal convictions from your criminal record. It gives you some protection in background checks. Washington State's New Hope Act makes it easier to vacate some criminal convictions that happened in Washington state.
Does a felony go away after 7 years?
Dismissed felony charges can usually be sealed or expunged right away. 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.
How can I get my record expunged for free in Washington state?
Request for Expungement
If you are, you must mail a completed copy of the WSP Request for Expungement / Deletion of Non-Criminal Records to Washington State Patrol, Criminal History Records Section, P.O. Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-02633. You do not have to pay for this request.
Have an WA Arrest Record? Most Non-Conviction Arrests Are Eligible to be Expunged!
How much does it cost to get a felony expunged in Washington State?
Our fee is determined by how complicated or complex your situation may be. On the low end, most prices in Washington State start at around $1,500 for an expungement attorney to handle the process from start to finish for one criminal conviction.
Can I file for expungement without a lawyer?
You can do it yourself, but it is better to hire a lawyer. You want it done right the first time, and the process can be confusing for laypeople. It's best to hire a professional to do the work for you.
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.
Can a felon get a passport?
Yes, a convicted felon can usually get a passport, but it depends on the felony and other factors: Felony typeSome felonies can automatically disqualify you from getting a passport, including: International drug trafficking Trafficking minors "Sex tourism" offenses Treason.
How far back do most background checks go?
Employment background checks can typically go back as far as seven to ten years, though that timeframe can vary depending on the type of check, the position being applied for, industry regulations and state or local laws.
How do you seal your criminal record in Washington state?
You must file a written motion with the Court to seal your records. Sealing is at the judge's discretion. In deciding whether to seal your court record, a judge will weigh your privacy interests against the public's interest in keeping the files open.
What is a special needs trust in Washington state?
Special Needs Trusts can be set up for someone diagnosed with a disability at any age. But certain kinds of trusts must be created before you turn 65 to avoid problems with SSI and Medicaid. How do I open an ABLE account? *This information is about the Washington State ABLE Savings Plan.
Do acquittals stay on your record?
You do not have an automatic right to have an arrest expunged from your criminal record, even if you are acquitted of committing the crime. You would need to file a petition requesting an expungement and attend a hearing where the judge would decide whether or not to grant your request.
Can a felon own a gun after 10 years in Washington state?
Under Washington law, your prior felony convictions "disappear" for purposes of firearm rights restoration once you have gone a certain number of years without committing any new crimes. The courts call this the "wash out" period. Class B felony: The wash out period is 10 years.
Is a felony on your record for life?
A felony will stay on your record forever in California unless you choose to take action and get the conviction removed. This is called the “expungement process” and generally requires the help of a legal representative to get underway. Rather than the federal courts, state courts handle the expungement process.
How far back does a criminal background check go in Washington state?
Washington State's law prohibits the reporting of conviction records older than seven years, but the FCRA does not. However, since Washington has a $20,000 salary threshold, this means that convictions older than seven years can be reported for nearly any job in the state.
Can a felon join the military?
Generally, felons and those with several convictions can't join the Army, but waivers are available in some cases. The offenses and moral behavior-related issues that cannot be waived include: If you are under civil restraint, including parole, confinement, or probation.
Can a convicted felon go on a cruise?
Yes. As mentioned above, Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises and others carry out background checks on guests through consumer reporting agencies prior to boarding. Cruisers would not usually be denied entry to the cruise unless they had been convicted of violent crimes such as physical and/or sexual assault.
Can a convicted felon own a gun?
California Penal Code 29800 PC imposes a lifetime ban on gun ownership or control by convicted felons. It applies to anyone convicted of a felony in any state or country.
Do felonies fall off after 7 years?
Felony convictions are not automatically expunged with the passage of time but require the filing and granting of an Expungement Petition by the Court. Many felony cases are "wobblers"; that is, they can be reduced to misdemeanors (even after many years) and then expunged in the same court proceeding.
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 FedEx hire felons?
Yes, FedEx has been known to hire felons in the past and currently. However, that does not mean all felons can get a job with the company. Like all employers, FedEx wants to protect itself from negligent hiring lawsuits. The company might be negligent if it hires a felon who goes on to re-offend on company time.
Can you reverse an expungement?
A Type of Dismissal
Instead, it is used to clear defendants' records after sentencing. In most states, an expungement would not be reversed because the defendant already served their sentence.
What is a 1203.4 dismissal?
A PC 1203.4 petition takes your plea from "Guilty" or "No Contest" and changes it in the court record to "Not Guilty." It then sets aside and dismisses the conviction, changing the court record from "Convicted" to "Case Dismissed." So, it is a "Petition for Dismissal" and not a "Petition for Expungement" as some call ...
How many expungements can you get?
There are no limits to how many times you can file a petition for a Section 1 expungement, and they may be filed even if the individual has previously filed for expungement of convictions.