Expungement Lawyer Fees
An expungement lawyer files to clear or seal your criminal record so it no longer shows up in most background checks. Most charge a flat fee per record or petition, which depends on your state, the offense, and how many charges you want cleared.
Find out what expungement lawyers in your area actually charge
Enter your ZIP code to see the average attorney fees near you.
Key takeaways
Expungement attorney fees are almost always a flat fee per petition — commonly $500–$2,000 to clear or seal a single eligible record, with multiple charges or a felony at the higher end. The fee covers checking eligibility, preparing the petition, and any court appearance; a court filing fee (often $50–$400) is separate. Expungement seals or erases a record so it no longer appears in most background checks — different from a pardon, which forgives the offense but usually leaves the record visible. Eligibility depends on the offense and a waiting period, and a growing number of states have “Clean Slate” laws that clear some records automatically for free. Clearing a record can unlock jobs, housing, and licensing, so the fee is often a high-value investment.
Top locations to compare expungement lawyer fees
See the localized attorney fee estimates for expungement cases in these areas.
Average fees for expungement lawyers in the US
An expungement lawyer fee is what an attorney charges to expunge or seal a criminal record — confirming eligibility, preparing the petition, and appearing in court — usually a flat fee of about $500–$2,000 per petition, more for multiple charges or a felony.
The figures below span a single simple expungement through multiple charges or a felony record. What you pay depends mostly on how many records you clear, the offense, and your state’s process — including whether some records clear automatically — so enter your ZIP for localized context. Expungement is almost always billed as a flat fee per petition.
Most attorneys charge a flat fee per petition, so clearing several charges can cost more than one. Court filing fees are separate. In states with Clean Slate laws, some records clear automatically for free — worth checking before you pay to petition.
Factors affecting the fee
Several factors influence the fee you are quoted and the final amount you take home:
- Number of records. Each charge or case is usually a separate petition and fee.
- Misdemeanor vs. felony. Felony expungements are more complex and cost more than misdemeanors.
- Eligibility & waiting period. Confirming eligibility and the required wait is the first step.
- Court hearing. A contested or hearing-required petition adds attorney time.
- Automatic vs. petition. Clean Slate states clear some records for free, avoiding a petition.
- Jurisdiction. State eligibility rules, waiting periods, and procedures vary widely.
Get a localized fee estimate
Enter your ZIP code to see the average attorney fees near you.
How expungement attorneys charge: flat fees per petition
Expungement is defined work — confirm eligibility, prepare the petition, file it, and attend any hearing — so attorneys almost always charge a flat fee per record or petition, commonly $500–$2,000. Because each charge or case is usually its own petition, clearing several records costs more than clearing one. A felony or a contested petition falls at the higher end. The court’s filing fee is separate from the attorney fee, so confirm what a quote includes.
Expungement vs. sealing vs. pardon
These related tools do different things. Expungement erases or destroys the record; sealing hides it from public background checks while keeping it for limited official use; and a pardon forgives the offense but usually leaves the conviction visible. Which is available depends on your state and the offense, and the right choice depends on your goal — for most people seeking jobs or housing, expungement or sealing is what removes the record from background checks.
Eligibility, waiting periods, and Clean Slate automatic clearing
Not every record can be cleared. Eligibility turns on the offense (many felonies and serious crimes are excluded), whether the case ended in conviction or dismissal, and a waiting period after the case closed. A major recent development is “Clean Slate” legislation: a growing number of states now automatically clear certain eligible records over time at no cost, with no petition required. It is worth checking whether your record qualifies for automatic clearing before paying to petition.
Why clearing a record is worth it
A criminal record can block employment, housing, professional licenses, and loans for years. Expungement or sealing removes the record from most background checks, which can directly improve access to jobs and housing — benefits that usually far outweigh the one-time legal fee. That high return is why many people consider an expungement among the most worthwhile legal expenses they can make.
Frequently asked questions
Most expungement lawyers charge a flat fee of about $500–$2,000 per record or petition, with multiple charges or a felony costing more. A court filing fee (often $50–$400) is separate from the attorney fee.
Clearing a single eligible record with a lawyer commonly runs $500–$2,000 in attorney fees plus the court filing fee. Simple misdemeanor cases are at the lower end; felonies and multiple charges cost more.
Almost always a flat fee per petition, so the price is predictable. Hourly billing is unusual and mainly appears if a petition is contested or unusually complex.
For most people, yes. Clearing a record can remove barriers to jobs, housing, and licensing for years to come, and a lawyer makes sure you petition for everything eligible and do it correctly. The long-term benefit usually far exceeds the one-time fee.
Expungement erases or destroys the record; sealing hides it from public background checks; and a pardon forgives the offense but usually leaves the conviction on your record. Expungement or sealing is what removes a record from most background checks.
Not always — many courts provide forms, and some records clear automatically under Clean Slate laws. But eligibility rules are technical and vary by offense, so a lawyer helps confirm what qualifies and files it correctly, which matters when a denied petition can mean waiting longer to refile.
The attorney fee pays for reviewing eligibility and preparing and presenting the petition. Court costs are separate charges — the filing fee and the cost of obtaining your record or fingerprints — paid on top of the attorney fee.
Because each charge or case is usually a separate petition, clearing several records costs more than one — though some attorneys offer a reduced rate for additional petitions filed together. Ask how multiple charges are priced.
It depends on the offense and outcome: dismissals and many misdemeanors are often eligible after a waiting period (commonly a few years), while serious felonies are frequently excluded. Confirming eligibility and the required wait for your specific record is the first thing an attorney does.
The flat fee for a standard petition is fairly standardized locally, but you can compare quotes, ask about a package rate for multiple charges, and confirm whether the court filing fee is included.
First check whether your state’s Clean Slate law clears your record automatically for free. Otherwise, confirm eligibility before filing (to avoid a wasted petition), bundle multiple charges with one attorney, and ask about flat-fee or legal-aid options.
It depends on your state. True expungement erases or destroys the record, while sealing hides it from public view but keeps it accessible to certain agencies (like law enforcement or licensing boards). Either way, it generally removes the record from standard background checks.
Yes, significantly. States set which offenses are eligible, the waiting periods, and the process — and a growing number automatically clear some records for free under Clean Slate laws. Attorney rates also track the local cost of living. Enter your ZIP above for localized context.
Check expungement lawyer fees in your area
Enter your ZIP code to see the average attorney fees near you.
Fee figures on this page are typical U.S. norms for informational purposes only and are not legal advice or a quote. Consult a licensed attorney about your specific expungement case. See how we estimate fees.