What the 2025 Reform Act Changed
Maryland's legislature passed a sweeping overhaul of the expungement statute, commonly referred to as the Clean Slate Act, with provisions taking effect in 2025. The law reflects a growing recognition that a permanent criminal record — even for minor, old offenses — creates lifelong barriers to employment, housing, and licensing that far exceed any purpose of the justice system.
Before and After the 2025 Reform
Before 2025 — Old Law
- Most felony convictions: not expungeable
- Many drug conviction: not expungeable
- Limited misdemeanor eligibility
- No automatic expungement pathway
- Longer waiting periods
- Narrow list of qualifying charges
After 2025 — New Law
- Many non-violent felonies: eligible (7 yrs)
- Most drug possession charges: eligible
- Expanded misdemeanor eligibility
- Automatic expungement for some records
- Streamlined waiting periods
- Broader qualifying offense list
Key Changes in Detail
Felony Expungement — Now Available
Perhaps the most dramatic change: many non-violent felony convictions are now expungeable after a 7-year waiting period. Prior law effectively barred nearly all felony convictions from expungement. The reform targets non-violent property crimes and lower-level drug distribution offenses as categories newly eligible for relief. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and crimes against children remain ineligible.
Drug Possession Convictions
Drug possession convictions — including convictions for marijuana, cocaine, and heroin possession for personal use — are now expungeable under the 2025 reform after a 3-year waiting period. This change alone opens the door for thousands of Marylanders who were convicted during the height of the war on drugs and have since lived productive lives.
Automatic Expungement Pathway
The 2025 law created a first-of-its-kind automatic expungement mechanism for certain qualifying records — meaning some individuals will eventually have their records cleared without needing to file a petition. The Maryland Judiciary is implementing this system in phases. However, the automatic pathway has limitations: it applies to a narrower category of records, relies on state databases to identify eligibility, and may not be immediate. A petitioned expungement remains the more reliable option for most people.
Waiting Periods Simplified
The reform standardized waiting periods: 3 years for most misdemeanor convictions and PBJs, 7 years for qualifying felony convictions, measured from the later of the conviction date or completion of sentence, probation, and parole. The prior law had more variable and sometimes longer waiting periods depending on the specific offense.
What the Reform Doesn't Change
Even after the 2025 reform, the following remain ineligible for expungement:
• Murder, manslaughter, and attempted murder
• Sexual offenses requiring registration
• Child abuse and exploitation offenses
• Most DUI/DWI convictions
• Crimes of violence (as defined in Criminal Law §14-101)
Don't Wait for Automatic Expungement: If you qualify for petitioned expungement today, filing now gets you relief faster than waiting for automatic expungement — which is being phased in over time and may not capture all eligible records. Call 410-332-0414 for a free assessment.
Who Should Act Now?
If you have a prior drug possession conviction, a non-violent theft conviction, or any number of older misdemeanor convictions that were previously ineligible, the 2025 reform may have opened a window for you. The best way to know is a direct record review with an attorney who knows the current law. Adam Sean Cohen has been tracking these statutory changes and can tell you in a free consultation exactly where you stand.