Source review: October 11, 2026. Information only, not legal advice.
Massachusetts criminal record clearing
Massachusetts offers both petition-based and automatic record-clearing routes. The main route: Administrative sealing of misdemeanor conviction (Commissioner of Probation) under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, s. 100A. Waiting periods, caps, and categorical exclusions all apply; the details below are a summary, not legal advice.
What relief routes does Massachusetts offer?
- Administrative sealing of misdemeanor conviction (Commissioner of Probation) (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, s. 100A). Adult misdemeanor conviction (or other misdemeanor court appearance/disposition). File a request with the Commissioner of Probation; sealing is mandatory once time conditions are met.
- Administrative sealing of felony conviction (Commissioner of Probation) (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, s. 100A). Adult felony conviction (or other felony court appearance/disposition). File a request with the Commissioner of Probation; sealing is mandatory once time conditions are met.
- Administrative sealing of a sex-offense conviction (extended track) (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, s. 100A; G.L. c. 6, s. 178G). Adult sex-offense conviction where the person is NOT currently a registered sex offender.
- Automatic sealing of non-conviction dispositions (acquittal / no bill / no probable cause) (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, s. 100C (first paragraph); Commonwealth v. J.F., 491 Mass. 824 (2023)). Case ended in a finding of not guilty (acquittal), a grand jury no bill, or a court finding of no probable cause. Under Commonwealth v. J.F., 491 Mass.
How long are the waiting periods?
- 3 years measured from the person's court appearance and court disposition records, INCLUDING the end of any period of incarceration or custody for the misdemeanor to be sealed (whichever is later),...
- 7 years measured from the person's court appearance and court disposition records, INCLUDING the end of any period of incarceration or custody for the felony to be sealed (whichever is later), AND no...
- 15 years from completion of all sentence elements and any subsequent court appearances (longer than the standard 3/7-year tracks).
Waiting periods generally run from the latest of sentencing, release from imprisonment, or completion of probation or parole, and a new conviction or pending charge can restart or block relief.
What cannot be cleared?
Convictions for firearms/weapons offenses under G.L. c. 140, ss. 121-131H; convictions under c. 268 (crimes against public justice) or c. 268A (conflict of interest/state ethics) are never sealable via this section EXCEPT resisting arrest (sealable since Oct. 13, 2018).
Can a general screener decide Massachusetts eligibility?
No. The RecordReset screener can identify a possible match for review but cannot confirm eligibility; the court decides. It does not offer a Massachusetts filing workbook, filing service, or attorney review. The summary here is drawn from published guidance including malegislature.gov and the cited statutes.
Massachusetts record-clearing law is primarily under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, §§ 100A to 100C (sealing of conviction and non-conviction records) and ch. 94G (marijuana offense sealing). The information here is a summary and not a substitute for review by a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
Questions people ask
Does Massachusetts clear any records automatically?
Yes. Massachusetts has an automatic relief route in addition to petition-based relief; automatic relief applies only to qualifying records and caps apply. Many cases still need a petition.
How long is the waiting period?
3 years measured from the person's court appearance and court disposition records, INCLUDING the end of any period of incarceration or custody for the misdemeanor to be sealed (whichever is later), AND no criminal conviction/incarceration in the 3 years...
Where do I start?
Gather your disposition date, charge classification, and completion of sentence, then read the official guidance (malegislature.gov) before filing. A screening tool can flag possible matches but cannot confirm eligibility.
RecordReset is a self-help legal information service, not a law firm. A screening can only say a case may match published rules and needs review. A court or agency determines relief. RecordReset does not file cases or offer attorney review; paid enrollment and draft PDFs are paused for legal and form review.