What Makes an Oregon Conviction or Arrest Expungable?

ORS 137.225

Oregon convictions are expungable if they are C Felonies or Misdemeanors and are at least 3 years old and the defendant has not been arrested since. If there have been additional arrests or convictions (here or in other states), it is a 10 year period. Certain crimes are not expungable - but many C Felonies and Misdemeanors are. Sex crimes and traffic crimes are excluded from the expungement statute.

How Does Expungement Work?

That is our job! If you are eligible for expungement and retain us, we will prepare and serve copies of a motion to expunge your arrest on the District Attorney's office in the County in which you were arrested or convicted, serve a copy on the Court and also send your fingerprints to the Oregon State Police for verification of your identity. We will have you fill out an affidavit in support of the motion and will work to ensure that a final order is issued that requires the CBCI and the FBI to delete your record and return your fingerprints and record to be destroyed. The timeline for an expungement once we are hired is roughly 3 months from start to finish.

How Much Does An Expungement Cost?

If you were convicted of an offense, it costs roughly $1000 to expunge each offense, including a $265 filing fee and an $80 fee to the State Police. If your case was dismissed, the costs are around $600. Each case you were convicted of or dismissed will be a separate fee; however, if there are multiple Counts on the same case, those are unlikely to require additional fees. If you do not qualify for expungement and have to file other mechanisms to get your rights restored, those can be substantially more time consuming and expensive.

137.225 Order setting aside conviction or record of arrest; fees; prerequisites; limitations. (1)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection, at any time after the lapse of three years from the date of pronouncement of judgment, any defendant who has fully complied with and performed the sentence of the court and whose conviction is described in subsection (5) of this section by motion may apply to the court where the conviction was entered for entry of an order setting aside the conviction. A person who is still under supervision, or who is still incarcerated, as part of the sentence for the offense that is the subject of the motion has not fully complied with or performed the sentence of the court.

(b) At any time after the lapse of one year from the date of any arrest, if no accusatory instrument was filed, or at any time after an acquittal or a dismissal of the charge, the arrested person may apply to the court that would have jurisdiction over the crime for which the person was arrested, for entry of an order setting aside the record of the arrest. For the purpose of computing the one-year period, time during which the arrested person has secreted himself or herself within or without this state is not included.

(c) A person whose sentence of probation was revoked may not apply to the court for entry of an order setting aside the conviction for which the person was sentenced to probation for a period of 10 years from the date of revocation.

(2)(a) A copy of the motion and a full set of the defendant’s fingerprints shall be served upon the office of the prosecuting attorney who prosecuted the crime or violation, or who had authority to prosecute the charge if there was no accusatory instrument filed, and opportunity shall be given to contest the motion. The fingerprint card with the notation “motion for setting aside conviction,” or “motion for setting aside arrest record” as the case may be, shall be forwarded to the Department of State Police. Information resulting from the fingerprint search along with the fingerprint card shall be returned to the prosecuting attorney.

(b) When a prosecuting attorney is served with a copy of a motion to set aside a conviction under this section, the prosecuting attorney shall provide a copy of the motion and notice of the hearing date to the victim, if any, of the crime by mailing a copy of the motion and notice to the victim’s last-known address.

(c) When a person makes a motion under subsection (1)(a) of this section, the person must pay a fee of $80 to the Department of State Police. The person shall attach a certified check payable to the Department of State Police in the amount of $80 to the fingerprint card that is served upon the prosecuting attorney. The office of the prosecuting attorney shall forward the check with the fingerprint card to the Department of State Police.

(d) In addition to the fee established under paragraph (c) of this subsection, when a person makes a motion under subsection (1)(a) of this section the person must pay the filing fee established under ORS 21.135.

(e) The prosecuting attorney may not charge the defendant a fee for performing the requirements described in this section.

(3) Upon hearing the motion, the court may require the filing of such affidavits and may require the taking of such proofs as the court deems proper. The court shall allow the victim to make a statement at the hearing. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (12) of this section, if the court determines that the circumstances and behavior of the applicant from the date of conviction, or from the date of arrest as the case may be, to the date of the hearing on the motion warrant setting aside the conviction, or the arrest record as the case may be, the court shall enter an appropriate order that shall state the original arrest charge and the conviction charge, if any and if different from the original, date of charge, submitting agency and disposition. The order shall further state that positive identification has been established by the Department of State Police and further identified as to Department of State Police number or submitting agency number. Upon the entry of the order, the applicant for purposes of the law shall be deemed not to have been previously convicted, or arrested as the case may be, and the court shall issue an order sealing the record of conviction and other official records in the case, including the records of arrest whether or not the arrest resulted in a further criminal proceeding.

(4) The clerk of the court shall forward a certified copy of the order to such agencies as directed by the court. A certified copy must be sent to the Department of Corrections when the person has been in the custody of the Department of Corrections. Upon entry of the order, the conviction, arrest or other proceeding shall be deemed not to have occurred, and the applicant may answer accordingly any questions relating to its occurrence.

(5) The provisions of subsection (1)(a) of this section apply to a conviction for:

(a) A Class B felony, except for a violation of ORS 166.429 or any crime classified as a person felony as that term is defined in the rules of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, only if:

(A)(i) Twenty years or more have elapsed from the date of the conviction sought to be set aside or of the release of the person from imprisonment for the conviction sought to be set aside, whichever is later; and

(ii) The person has not been convicted of or arrested for any other offense, excluding motor vehicle violations, after the date the person was convicted of the offense sought to be set aside. Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a conviction or arrest that has been set aside under this section shall be considered for the purpose of determining whether this subparagraph is applicable; or

(B) The Class B felony is described in paragraphs (b) to (e) of this subsection.

(b) Any crime punishable as a misdemeanor, including judgment of conviction for a misdemeanor pursuant to ORS 161.705.

(d) An offense constituting a violation under state law or local ordinance.

(e) An offense committed before January 1, 1972, that, if committed after that date, would qualify for an order under this section.

(6) Notwithstanding subsection (5) of this section, the provisions of subsection (1)(a) of this section do not apply to a conviction for:

(a) Criminal mistreatment in the second degree under ORS 163.200 if the victim at the time of the crime was 65 years of age or older.

(b) Criminal mistreatment in the first degree under ORS 163.205 if the victim at the time of the crime was 65 years of age or older, or when the offense constitutes child abuse as defined in ORS 419B.005.

(c) Endangering the welfare of a minor under ORS 163.575 (1)(a), when the offense constitutes child abuse as defined in ORS 419B.005.

(d) Criminally negligent homicide under ORS 163.145, when that offense was punishable as a Class C felony.

(e) Assault in the third degree under ORS 163.165 (1)(h).

(f) Any sex crime, unless:

(A) The sex crime is listed in ORS 163A.140 (1)(a) and:

(i) The person has been relieved of the obligation to report as a sex offender pursuant to a court order entered under ORS 163A.145 or 163A.150; and

(ii) The person has not been convicted of, found guilty except for insanity of or found to be within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court based on a crime for which the court is prohibited from setting aside the conviction under this section; or

(B) The sex crime constitutes a Class C felony and:

(i) The person was under 16 years of age at the time of the offense;

(ii) The person is:

(I) Less than two years and 180 days older than the victim; or

(II) At least two years and 180 days older, but less than three years and 180 days older, than the victim and the court finds that setting aside the conviction is in the interests of justice and of benefit to the person and the community;

(iii) The victim’s lack of consent was due solely to incapacity to consent by reason of being less than a specified age;

(iv) The victim was at least 12 years of age at the time of the offense;

(v) The person has not been convicted of, found guilty except for insanity of or found to be within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court based on a crime for which the court is prohibited from setting aside the conviction under this section; and

(vi) Each conviction or finding described in this subparagraph involved the same victim.

(7) Notwithstanding subsection (5) of this section, the provisions of subsection (1) of this section do not apply to:

(a) A conviction for a state or municipal traffic offense.

(b) A person convicted, within the 10-year period immediately preceding the filing of the motion pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, of any other offense, excluding motor vehicle violations, whether or not the other conviction is for conduct associated with the same criminal episode that caused the arrest or conviction that is sought to be set aside. A single violation, other than a motor vehicle violation, within the last 10 years is not a conviction under this subsection. Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a conviction that has been set aside under this section shall be considered for the purpose of determining whether this paragraph is applicable.

(c) A person who at the time the motion authorized by subsection (1) of this section is pending before the court is under charge of commission of any crime.

(8) The provisions of subsection (1)(b) of this section do not apply to:

(a) A person arrested within the three-year period immediately preceding the filing of the motion for any offense, excluding motor vehicle violations, and excluding arrests for conduct associated with the same criminal episode that caused the arrest that is sought to be set aside. An arrest that has been set aside under this section may not be considered for the purpose of determining whether this paragraph is applicable.

(b) An arrest for driving while under the influence of intoxicants if the charge is dismissed as a result of the person’s successful completion of a diversion agreement described in ORS 813.200.

(9) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section apply to convictions and arrests that occurred before, as well as those that occurred after, September 9, 1971. There is no time limit for making an application.

(10) For purposes of any civil action in which truth is an element of a claim for relief or affirmative defense, the provisions of subsection (3) of this section providing that the conviction, arrest or other proceeding be deemed not to have occurred do not apply and a party may apply to the court for an order requiring disclosure of the official records in the case as may be necessary in the interest of justice.

(11) Upon motion of any prosecutor or defendant in a case involving records sealed under this section, supported by affidavit showing good cause, the court with jurisdiction may order the reopening and disclosure of any records sealed under this section for the limited purpose of assisting the investigation of the movant. However, such an order has no other effect on the orders setting aside the conviction or the arrest record.

(12) Unless the court makes written findings by clear and convincing evidence that granting the motion would not be in the best interests of justice, the court shall grant the motion and enter an order as provided in subsection (3) of this section if the defendant has been convicted of one of the following crimes and is otherwise eligible for relief under this section:

(a) Abandonment of a child, ORS 163.535.

(b) Attempted assault in the second degree, ORS 163.175.

(d) Coercion, ORS 163.275.

(e) Criminal mistreatment in the first degree, ORS 163.205.

(f) Attempted escape in the first degree, ORS 162.165.

(g) Incest, ORS 163.525, if the victim was at least 18 years of age.

(h) Intimidation in the first degree, ORS 166.165.

(i) Attempted kidnapping in the second degree, ORS 163.225.

(j) Attempted robbery in the second degree, ORS 164.405.

(k) Robbery in the third degree, ORS 164.395.

(L) Supplying contraband, ORS 162.185.

(m) Unlawful use of a weapon, ORS 166.220.

(13) As used in this section, “sex crime” has the meaning given that term in ORS 163A.005. [1971 c.434 §2; 1973 c.680 §3; 1973 c.689 §1a; 1973 c.836 §265; 1975 c.548 §10; 1975 c.714 §2; 1977 c.286 §1; 1983 c.556 §1; 1983 c.740 §17; 1987 c.320 §31; 1987 c.408 §1; 1987 c.864 §6; 1989 c.774 §1; 1991 c.830 §6; 1993 c.546 §98; 1993 c.664 §2; 1995 c.429 §9; 1995 c.743 §1; 1999 c.79 §1; 2007 c.71 §35; 2009 c.360 §1; 2009 c.560 §1; 2011 c.196 §1; 2011 c.533 §1; 2011 c.547 §29; 2011 c.595 §87; 2012 c.70 §4; 2013 c.390 §1; 2015 c.235 §1; 2015 c.820 §§32,32a]

Note: Section 129, chapter 614, Oregon Laws 2015, provides:

Sec. 129. When a person convicted of a marijuana offense based on conduct that occurs before the effective date of this 2015 Act [June 30, 2015] files a motion for a court order setting aside the conviction pursuant to ORS 137.225, the court shall consider the offense to be classified under ORS 161.535 or 161.555 as if the conduct occurred on or after the effective date of this 2015 Act, or if the offense is no longer a crime, the court shall consider the offense to be classified as a Class C misdemeanor, when determining if the person is eligible for the order. [2015 c.614 §129]

Note: Section 12 (2), chapter 591, Oregon Laws 2013, provides:

Sec. 12. (2) When a person convicted of a marijuana offense based on conduct occurring before July 1, 2013, files a motion for a court order setting aside the conviction pursuant to ORS 137.225, the court shall consider the offense to be classified under ORS 161.535 or 161.555 as if the conduct occurred on July 1, 2013, when determining if the person is eligible for the order. [2013 c.591 §12; 2015 c.290 §1(2)]