Oklahoma Expungement Law: Clear Your Record with The Urbanic Law Firm

If you’ve been arrested or convicted in Oklahoma, an expungement can give you a fresh start. Expungement is the legal process that seals your criminal record from public view. Employers, landlords, and most agencies won’t see it. 

At The Urbanic Law Firm, we help you understand your eligibility, prepare your petition, and guide you through every step of the process.

Who Can File for an Expungement in Oklahoma

You can request an expungement only if you fall into one of 15 categories under Oklahoma law (22 O.S. §18):

1. You Were Acquitted

If you were found not guilty, you can have the entire record of the charge sealed.

2. Your Conviction Was Reversed and Dismissed

If an appellate court overturned your conviction and ordered the case dismissed—or if the prosecutor later dismissed the charge—you can apply for expungement.

3. DNA Proved Your Innocence

If DNA evidence later proved you were factually innocent (even if you already served time), you can have the record expunged.

4. You Received a Full Pardon

If the Governor fully pardoned you for the offense, you qualify to seek expungement.

5. You Were Arrested, but Never Charged

If you were arrested but never charged with any crime (including different charges), and either the statute of limitations has expired or the prosecutor declined to file, you may qualify.

6. You Were a Minor and Later Pardoned

If you committed an offense before age 18 and received a full pardon, you can request expungement.

7. All Charges Were Dismissed (No Deferred Judgment)

If you were charged but all counts were dismissed, you’ve never been convicted of a felony, no charges are pending, and the statute of limitations for refiling expired (or prosecutors confirmed they won’t refile), you qualify.
This does not apply to dismissals after completing a deferred sentence.

8. Misdemeanor Deferred Judgment Completed

If you completed a deferred sentence or delayed judgment for a misdemeanor, have no felony convictions or pending charges, and at least one year has passed since the case was dismissed, you can apply.

9. Nonviolent Felony Deferred Judgment Completed

If you completed a deferred sentence for a nonviolent felony (not listed in 57 O.S. § 571), have no felony convictions, no pending charges, and at least five years have passed since dismissal, you can seek expungement.

10. Minor Misdemeanor Conviction (Fine Only)

If you were convicted of a misdemeanor, sentenced only to a fine under $501 (no jail or suspended sentence), the fine was paid (or satisfied by time served), you have no felony convictions or pending charges—you qualify.

11. Misdemeanor Conviction with Jail or Larger Fine

If you were convicted of a misdemeanor involving jail, a suspended sentence, or a fine over $500, have no felony convictions or pending charges, and five years have passed since finishing your last sentence, you qualify.

12. One Nonviolent Felony Conviction

If you were convicted of one nonviolent felony (not listed in 57 O.S. § 571), have no other felony convictions, no misdemeanor convictions in the last seven years, no pending charges, and five years have passed since completing your sentence, you qualify.

13. Two Nonviolent Felony Convictions

If you were convicted of no more than two nonviolent felonies (not listed in 21 O.S. § 13.1 and not requiring sex offender registration), have no pending charges, and ten years have passed since finishing your sentence, you qualify.

14. Victim of Identity Theft

If someone used your name or identification without permission and you were arrested or charged because of it, you can clear those records.

15. Reclassified Felony Now a Misdemeanor

If you were convicted of a nonviolent felony that Oklahoma law has since reclassified as a misdemeanor, you may expunge it if:

• You are not serving any sentence in Oklahoma or another state,
• 30 days have passed since completing or commuting the sentence,
• All restitution was paid, and
• Any required treatment program was successfully completed.

Understanding “Expungement” and Record Sealing

Under Oklahoma law:

• Expungement means sealing criminal and civil records from public view.
• Fully sealed records: Not available to the public or law enforcement. These are kept only for research or statistics by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).
• Partially sealed records: Hidden from the public but still accessible to law enforcement for official purposes.

Certain expunged records (like deferred sentences or prior convictions) can still be used in future prosecutions without needing a court order to unseal them.

Multiple Offenses from One Incident

If your convictions came from the same event or transaction, they count as one conviction for expungement purposes under categories 10–13.

Multiple Offenses from Multiple Incidents

You can also combine multiple offenses that would not be eligible for expungement on their own in one petition to make them all eligible for expungement. All incidents from one county can be combined on one petition. Offenses in multiple counties would require a separate petition filed in each county.

How the Process Works

1. Eligibility Review – We confirm which of the 15 categories you fall into.
2. Petition Filing – We file a motion in the proper Oklahoma court.
3. Notice to Agencies – Prosecutors, OSBI, and other entities are notified.
4. Hearing or Agreement – Many expungements are granted by agreement; others require a hearing.
5. Court Order & Sealing – Once granted, agencies seal your records per the judge’s order.
6. Expungement Processing – We process the expungement order with the affected agencies

Why Choose The Urbanic Law Firm

• Experienced in Oklahoma expungement law
• Detailed eligibility analysis under all 15 categories
• Efficient petition drafting and filing
• Skilled negotiation with prosecutors and OSBI
• Proven results restoring your clean record 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do expungements work in Oklahoma?

Expungements seal your criminal records so they’re hidden from the public. Depending on your category, your record may be fully sealed (not visible even to law enforcement) or partially sealed (still accessible to law enforcement).

What are the 15 categories for Oklahoma expungement eligibility?

You may qualify if you were acquitted, your conviction was reversed, DNA proved innocence, you were pardoned, never charged, charged as a minor and pardoned, had dismissed charges, completed deferred sentences, have certain misdemeanor or nonviolent felony convictions, were a victim of identity theft, or your felony was reclassified as a misdemeanor.

How long do you have to wait before filing for expungement in Oklahoma?

Depending on your category, you may need to wait from 1 to 10 years after your case ends or your sentence is complete. It may also be immediate.

What’s the difference between fully sealed and partially sealed records in Oklahoma?

Fully sealed records can’t be seen by the public or law enforcement. Partially sealed records are hidden from the public but remain visible to law enforcement.

Do you need an attorney to get an expungement in Oklahoma?

You’re not required to have one, but an experienced Oklahoma expungement lawyer can ensure your eligibility, prepare filings correctly, and improve your chances of success.