Maryland Expungement Attorney

Maryland Expungement Attorney

An arrest or criminal record — even one that did not result in a conviction — can follow you for years, affecting your ability to find employment, secure housing, obtain professional licenses, and more. Maryland law provides a process called expungement that allows eligible individuals to have certain records shielded from public access. Adam Sean Cohen has helped Marylanders clear their records for over 30 years.

What Is Expungement in Maryland?

Expungement under Maryland Criminal Procedure Article §10-101 et seq. is the removal of a criminal charge or record from public inspection. An expunged record is not destroyed but is shielded from access by the general public and most employers. Law enforcement and certain government agencies may still access expunged records in limited circumstances.

Expungement Eligibility as of October 1, 2026

Maryland's expungement laws have been expanded several times in recent years, and they continue to evolve. The summary below reflects Maryland law as of October 1, 2026. Because eligibility depends on the specific charge, its disposition, and the law in effect at the relevant time, the rules that apply to your situation may differ — the surest way to know where you stand is to speak with an attorney about your specific record.

Records That Did Not Result in a Conviction

Under Maryland Criminal Procedure Article §10-105, records are generally eligible for expungement when a charge did not lead to a conviction — for example, an acquittal, a dismissal, a nolle prosequi, a stet, or a charge that was never formally filed. A case resolved by Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) is also generally eligible after a waiting period, though certain offenses are treated differently, and some — including PBJs for certain drunk-driving offenses — carry a substantially longer wait. For acquittals, dismissals, and similar dispositions, a petition may often be filed sooner if the petitioner waives related tort claims.

Records That Resulted in a Conviction

Under Maryland Criminal Procedure Article §10-110, many nonviolent misdemeanor convictions and a limited set of felony convictions may be expunged after a waiting period that runs from completion of the sentence. The statute identifies the specific offenses that qualify. As a general matter, waiting periods range from three years for certain cannabis-related convictions, to five years for most eligible misdemeanors, to seven or more years for eligible felonies and certain other offenses. As of October 1, 2026, §10-110 also extends eligibility to certain cases that were resolved without a finding of guilt. Convictions for crimes of violence, certain sex offenses, and other specified serious offenses are generally not eligible.

What Can Affect Eligibility

Several factors can change the result. A new conviction during the applicable waiting period can restart the clock or bar relief, and a pending criminal charge generally disqualifies a petitioner while it remains unresolved. When multiple charges arise from the same incident, they may be treated as a single unit, so the ineligibility of one charge can affect the others. For convictions, the State's Attorney and any victim receive notice and an opportunity to object, and the court weighs public safety and the interest of justice before granting relief. These are precisely the details that determine whether — and when — expungement is available, and they are best assessed case by case.

The Expungement Process

Expungement requires filing a Petition for Expungement in the court where the case was heard. The petition must identify the specific case and charge, and it must be served on the State's Attorney's office. The State has 30 days to object. If no objection is filed — or if the court overrules any objection — an Order for Expungement is entered. Adam Cohen handles the entire process, from evaluating eligibility through filing, service, and obtaining the final order.

Why It Matters

Even arrests without convictions show up in background checks and can cost you job opportunities, housing applications, and professional licenses. Expungement removes that barrier. If you are eligible, there is no good reason to wait. Adam Cohen evaluates eligibility at no charge during an initial consultation.