Mississippi: record clearing rules

Whether your state clears criminal records automatically, and how long you must wait before you can clear a misdemeanor or felony conviction.

From a statute-cited table

Automatic (clean slate) clearing	No; petition
Waiting period for a misdemeanor	No fixed wait (first offenders)
Waiting period for a felony	5 years after the sentence and payments are complete
Law	Miss. Code 99-19-71

Waiting periods usually start when the whole sentence (jail, probation, fines, restitution) is finished, and a new conviction can restart the clock. Violent, sex and some traffic offenses are often excluded.

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply. Confirm with the state agency, the court or a licensed professional in Mississippi.

Also for Mississippi: Car insurance by state in Mississippi · Divorce rules by state in Mississippi · Property division in Mississippi · Discrimination deadlines in Mississippi · Workers' comp deadlines in Mississippi · Workers' comp benefits in Mississippi · Small estate limits in Mississippi · Will and trust rules in Mississippi · Small claims limits in Mississippi · Homestead exemptions in Mississippi · Claim deadlines in Mississippi · Paid leave programs in Mississippi · DUI penalties in Mississippi · Medicaid long-term care in Mississippi · Malpractice rules in Mississippi

How we checked this

Waiting periods come from a statute-cited 50-state survey of adult conviction relief updated in 2026, compared with the Collateral Consequences Resource Center's 50-state categories. Rules often have exceptions for violent, sex and traffic offenses. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.

Cross-checked sources agree Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site From a statute-cited table one detailed source Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.