Ohio Expungement Services
Expunging Multiple Misdemeanors in Ohio
Depending on your record, you may be eligible to have either an unlimited number of misdemeanor convictions sealed or expunged, or up to two misdemeanor convictions under a different part of Ohio law.
How Many Misdemeanors Can Be Expunged in Ohio?
In Ohio, expunging multiple misdemeanors depends on which section of the law applies to your record. Some people may qualify to clear an unlimited number of misdemeanor convictions, while others may be limited to two misdemeanor convictions unless certain cases are counted together for eligibility purposes.
Ohio law may allow a person to have either an unlimited number of misdemeanor convictions expunged or sealed, or only two misdemeanor convictions expunged, depending on the rest of their criminal record.
For some people, the expanded law makes it possible to clear more misdemeanor convictions than was allowed in the past. For others, eligibility still exists under a narrower section of the statute that limits how many misdemeanor convictions may be cleared.
Because the answer depends on your full record, the best place to start is with a confidential, free eligibility test so your case can be reviewed before moving forward. You can also learn more about misdemeanor expungement in Ohio, the expungement process, and Ohio waiting periods before filing.
Want to know how many misdemeanor convictions may qualify?
Start with our confidential, free eligibility test. It is the fastest way to determine which part of Ohio’s expungement law may apply to your case.
Expansion of Ohio Expungement Law for Multiple Misdemeanors
Effective October 29, 2018, Ohio expungement law expanded the number of misdemeanor and felony convictions that may be eligible for sealing or expungement. Before that change, the law generally allowed only two misdemeanor convictions to be expunged. Under the expanded law, some people may now qualify to seal an unlimited number of misdemeanor convictions.
This means some people who did not qualify under the prior law, or who were denied in the past, may now be eligible under the updated statute. The important question is whether your record fits within the expanded definition of an eligible offender.
The number of misdemeanors that may be cleared depends not just on the misdemeanor cases themselves, but on whether your record includes disqualifying convictions that change which eligibility option applies.
Option 1: Expunging Unlimited Misdemeanors in Ohio
Under one section of Ohio law, a person may be eligible to have an unlimited number of misdemeanor convictions sealed or expunged. To qualify, the person cannot have convictions for an offense of violence, a felony sex offense, or any felony of the first, second, or third degree.
- No offense of violence convictions
- No felony sex offense convictions
- No first-, second-, or third-degree felony convictions
- Only qualifying lower-level offenses on record
If those conditions are met, there may be no limit on the number of misdemeanor convictions that can be cleared.
Option 2: Expunging Up to Two Misdemeanor Convictions in Ohio
If a person does not qualify under the unlimited-misdemeanor section of the law, they may still qualify to have two misdemeanor convictions expunged or sealed under a different section.
In some situations, multiple misdemeanor convictions may be counted as one conviction for eligibility purposes. This can make a major difference for people with several misdemeanor cases.
Multiple misdemeanor convictions from the same incident may count as one conviction. Related criminal acts within a short period that were handled in the same court proceedings may also be counted as one.
This means a person may still qualify to clear more misdemeanor charges than expected, even when the law appears to limit relief to two convictions.
What Can Affect Eligibility for Expunging Multiple Misdemeanors in Ohio
When a person has more than one misdemeanor conviction, eligibility for expungement in Ohio depends on more than just the number of cases on the record. Courts look at how those convictions are counted, whether any disqualifying offenses exist, and which section of Ohio’s expungement law applies.
Under current Ohio law, a person may qualify to expunge either an unlimited number of misdemeanor convictions or up to two misdemeanor convictions, depending on the rest of their record and whether they meet the definition of an eligible offender.
- Whether any conviction is classified as an offense of violence
- Whether any felony sex offense is present on the record
- Whether any first-, second-, or third-degree felony exists
- Whether multiple cases arose from the same incident or timeframe
- Whether multiple convictions may be counted as one under Ohio law
- Whether any criminal matters are still pending at the time of filing
In some situations, multiple misdemeanor convictions from the same incident or from related acts within a short period may be counted as a single conviction for eligibility purposes, which can significantly change whether a person qualifies.
Because these cases often involve multiple courts, multiple charges, and different legal standards, a full record review is the most reliable way to determine eligibility and choose the correct filing approach.
Waiting Period and Filing Requirements
For misdemeanor convictions, the waiting period is typically one year after termination of the case. Termination means all court requirements have been completed, including probation, fines, and costs.
The waiting period begins after the case is fully completed, not on the conviction date. If any obligations remain, the eligibility clock has not yet started. You can read more about Ohio waiting periods and the overall expungement process before filing.
Because these cases can involve multiple courts or objections, it is important to review your record carefully before filing.
Find out which eligibility option may apply to you
Start with our confidential, free eligibility test to learn whether you may qualify to clear multiple misdemeanor convictions.
Multiple Misdemeanors FAQs
Can I expunge more than two misdemeanors in Ohio?
In some cases, yes. Ohio law may allow a person to clear an unlimited number of misdemeanor convictions if the record does not include certain disqualifying offenses. In other situations, a person may still qualify to clear up to two misdemeanor convictions under a different part of the law.
What if I do not qualify to expunge unlimited misdemeanors?
You may still qualify under the section of Ohio law that allows up to two misdemeanor convictions to be sealed or expunged. A full record review is important because some multiple convictions may still be counted together for eligibility purposes.
Can multiple misdemeanors count as one conviction?
Yes. In some situations, multiple misdemeanor convictions from the same incident may be counted as one conviction. Related criminal acts that occurred within a short period of time and were resolved in the same court proceedings may also be treated as one for eligibility purposes.
How long do I have to wait before filing to expunge multiple misdemeanors?
For misdemeanor convictions, the waiting period is generally one year after termination of the case. Termination means all court requirements have been completed, including probation, fines, costs, and any other obligations ordered by the court.
Does the waiting period start on the date of conviction?
No. The waiting period usually begins only after the case is fully completed. If probation, fines, restitution, or other requirements are still outstanding, the eligibility clock generally has not started yet.
Can dismissed misdemeanor charges also be removed from my record?
In many cases, yes. Dismissed charges, no bills, and not guilty findings may still appear on background checks unless action is taken to clear them. A review of the full record can help determine what relief may be available.
What should I do first if I have multiple misdemeanor convictions?
The best first step is to complete a confidential eligibility review. Because eligibility depends on the full record, including whether convictions are related and whether any disqualifying offenses are present, a case-specific review is the safest way to determine how Ohio law applies.
Find out whether your record may qualify
Complete our free eligibility test to learn whether your Ohio misdemeanor record may qualify for expungement or sealing.