Expungement is a process by which an arrest or conviction record is removed from public access. The exact effect depends on the state. In Missouri, expunged records can generally be denied as if they never existed for most purposes. In Illinois, expungement physically destroys court records, while sealing makes them inaccessible to most public searches.
Both states have eligibility rules: only certain offenses qualify, certain waiting periods must pass, and the petitioner must not have new convictions in the interim.
Successful expungement opens up employment, housing, and licensing opportunities that were previously closed. The process takes 3-6 months and requires a formal petition.