Iowa Expungement Definition

Expungement

An Expungement is a process of applying for consideration for expungement and being granted an expungement by a court. A successful expungement removes a previous dismissal, not guilty verdict, or misdemeanor conviction from public view as though it never existed.

The options for expunging or sealing a criminal record in Iowa are limited (see Iowa Expungement Limitations).

Expungement vs. Sealing

A record that is expunged is removed from public view and considered nonexistent. A record that is sealed is accessible by certain individuals.