- Expungement is the process to remove a charge or charges from a public criminal record. For more information, see T.C.A. § 40-32-101.
- Expungement is not an automatic process and you must file with the court to receive it.
- The process starts on the local level at the court in the county where the arrest occurred.
- Charges that were “Dismissed,” “Nolle Prosequi,” “No True Bill,” or a verdict of “Not Guilty” are eligible for Expungement at no cost to you. Charges that were on “Diversion” (Pretrial or Judicial) and certain qualifying convictions are subject to additional fees.
- Once the court completes the Expungement process locally, the Expungement Order is sent to various agencies including the arresting agency, county jail, Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC), and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Each agency then follows their own procedures to expunge the charges. You may want to contact the TDOC and TBI to make sure each agency received a copy of your Order.
- Once charges have been expunged, it is very important for you to keep a certified copy of the Expungement Order. It is the only way you will be able to prove the Expungement has been completed by the court and is valid.
