T.O.N.E. U.P. | Reentry Resources
Minnesota's Clean Slate Law
A criminal record may be part of someone's history. It should not define their entire future.
Minnesota's Clean Slate Law allows certain criminal records to be automatically sealed without requiring eligible individuals to file a petition with the court. Enacted in 2023 and effective January 1, 2025, the law helps reduce barriers to employment, housing, and economic opportunity for justice-impacted Minnesotans.
Understanding the Law
What Is Automatic Expungement?
Expungement is the legal process of sealing certain criminal records from public access. Under Minnesota's Clean Slate Law, qualifying records can be identified and sealed automatically by the state without requiring individuals to file a petition with the court. This process can help reduce barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities for justice-impacted Minnesotans.
However, not every criminal record qualifies for automatic expungement. Eligibility depends on factors such as the offense, case outcome, completion of sentencing requirements, applicable waiting periods, and other criminal history. Expungement generally seals records rather than destroying them, and certain government agencies may retain access under applicable laws.
Understanding your record is the first step toward understanding your options.
Community-Based Reentry Support
How T.O.N.E. U.P. Helps
Reentry support goes beyond clearing a record. It's about creating opportunities for lasting change.
Record Expungement Navigation
Access information about automatic expungement, understand available resources, and connect with appropriate legal partners when needed.
Housing & Employment
Explore housing stability, fair-chance employment, workforce opportunities, and identification restoration as part of a personalized reentry plan.
Peer Navigation & Mentorship
Connect with justice-impacted leaders who understand the reentry experience and offer practical guidance and community support.
Civic Engagement & Leadership
Build civic awareness, participate in community conversations, and explore leadership opportunities through From the Block to the Ballot.
Eligibility Information
Understanding Automatic Expungement Eligibility
Eligibility depends on your individual case history and the requirements of Minnesota law.
Common Eligibility Considerations
- Whether the offense qualifies under Minnesota law
- Whether sentencing and discharge requirements have been completed
- Whether the applicable waiting period has passed
- Whether additional charges or convictions affect eligibility
- Whether the record has already been sealed
Different rules apply to petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and qualifying felonies. Some records require petition-based expungement or additional legal review.
This information is educational and is not legal advice. Eligibility must be evaluated under current Minnesota law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Clean Slate
How do I know whether my record qualifies?
Eligibility depends on your specific case history, offense, waiting period, and other requirements. Official state resources and qualified legal professionals can help clarify eligibility.
Do I need to file paperwork?
If your record qualifies for automatic expungement, the state generally handles the sealing process without requiring a petition. Some records require additional action.
Can T.O.N.E. U.P. help if I don't qualify?
Yes. T.O.N.E. U.P. provides reentry education, peer navigation, and referrals to appropriate legal resources. Our support extends beyond automatic expungement.
Does expungement erase my criminal history?
No. Expungement generally seals qualifying records. Some government agencies may still have access under applicable laws.
Can I request a copy of my criminal record?
Yes. Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension provides a process for individuals to request their criminal history records.
Implementation Updates
Stay Informed About Clean Slate.
Minnesota continues reviewing records and implementing automatic expungement. Follow updates, learn about the process, and access additional information.
View Implementation Updates
Our Peer Navigator Network
Support From People Who Understand the Journey.
T.O.N.E. U.P.'s Justice-Impacted Peer Navigator Support Network and From the Block to the Ballot initiative connect individuals to education, mentorship, community resources, and leadership opportunities.
Our Peer Navigators bring lived experience into the work of supporting housing stability, employment pathways, identification restoration, civic participation, and long-term well-being.
A clean slate can open doors. Community and opportunity help people walk through them.
Community Impact
Real Stories. Meaningful Change.
The impact of reentry support is reflected in the people who experience it.
“They got me into housing, helped me get a state ID, and made me feel like I belonged again. That's not just a service—that's family.”
“T.O.N.E. U.P. helped me get my CDL license and turn my life around. Now I'm working full-time and mentoring others.”
“Without T.O.N.E. U.P., I wouldn't have been able to get to work. They repaired my car and reminded me that my story wasn't over.”
Minnesota Clean Slate Law
Automatic Expungement Eligibility
Automatic expungement eligibility depends on the offense, successful completion of sentencing requirements, applicable waiting periods, and other conditions established under Minnesota law. Not every criminal record qualifies, and some offenses are excluded from automatic expungement.
General Eligibility Requirements
- The offense must qualify under Minnesota law.
- There must be no disqualifying new convictions or pending charges during applicable waiting or review periods. Petty misdemeanor exceptions may apply.
- The individual must have successfully completed the sentence and discharge requirements.
- The applicable waiting period must have been completed.
Petty Misdemeanors
Many petty misdemeanors may qualify for automatic expungement after the applicable waiting period.
2-Year Waiting Period
A two-year waiting period generally applies following discharge of sentence, where applicable.
Exceptions to Review
- Traffic violations
Misdemeanors
Many misdemeanors may qualify for automatic expungement, although certain offenses require additional review.
2-Year Waiting Period
A two-year waiting period generally applies following discharge of sentence.
Exceptions to Review
- Fourth-degree DWI
- Violation of an order for protection
- Fifth-degree assault
- Domestic assault
- Violation of a harassment restraining order
- Interference with an emergency call
- Obscene or harassing phone calls
- Indecent exposure
- Interference with privacy
- Violation of a domestic abuse no-contact order
Gross Misdemeanors
Many gross misdemeanors may qualify for automatic expungement, subject to applicable statutory exclusions.
3-Year Waiting Period
A three-year waiting period generally applies following discharge of sentence.
Exceptions to Review
- Second- and third-degree DWI
- Violation of an order for protection
- Criminal vehicular operation
- Fourth- and fifth-degree assault
- Domestic assault
- Criminal neglect
- Fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct
- Malicious punishment of a child
- Escape from custody
- Tampering with a witness
- Fourth-degree burglary
- Interference with privacy
- Violation of a harassment restraining order
- Harassment or stalking
- Interference with an emergency call
- Indecent exposure
- Nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images
- Violation of a domestic abuse no-contact order
Felonies
Only certain qualifying felony convictions are eligible for automatic expungement under Minnesota law.
Offense-Specific Eligibility
Felony eligibility depends on the specific offense, criminal history, applicable waiting periods, and other statutory requirements. Review the Minnesota Clean Slate Law Felony Eligibility Guidelines for additional information about qualifying offenses.
View Felony Eligibility Guidelines ↗These eligibility descriptions and exception lists are educational summaries, not exhaustive statements of current Minnesota law. An offense's classification, statutory subdivision, and individual case history may affect eligibility. This information is not legal advice.
Eligibility Reference Document
Minnesota Clean Slate Law Felony Eligibility Guidelines
Review the felony eligibility reference document to learn more about offenses addressed by Minnesota's Clean Slate Law. You can read the document directly on this page or open the full PDF in a separate tab.
If the preview does not load, use the Open Full PDF button. This reference document may not reflect subsequent changes to Minnesota law or implementation guidance.
Community-Based Reentry Support
Our Peer Navigator Network
Guidance Rooted in Lived Experience.
T.O.N.E. U.P.'s From the Block to the Ballot initiative and Justice-Impacted Peer Navigator Support Network help community members navigate Minnesota's Clean Slate process and the challenges of reentry.
Together, these programs connect legal relief with civic empowerment and long-term stability. Our work goes beyond clearing a record to helping people rebuild their lives and participate fully in their communities.
How We Support Participants
Our network connects participants with guidance, resources, and opportunities to support their next chapter.
Expungement Navigation
One-on-one guidance understanding the Clean Slate process and available legal resources.
Personalized Reentry Planning
Support with housing, employment, identification restoration, and individual reentry goals.
Civic Engagement & Advocacy
Opportunities through From the Block to the Ballot to understand voting, share experiences, and participate in community change.
Peer Mentorship
Connections with justice-impacted leaders who understand the challenges and opportunities of reentry.
Leadership & Wellness
Leadership development and wellness coaching to build confidence, skills, and purpose.
The Clean Slate Law may seal your record. Our Peer Navigators and From the Block to the Ballot community help you reclaim your life, your power, and your place in democracy.
Take the Next Step
Ready to Get Started?
You don't have to navigate this journey alone. We're here to walk alongside you.
Whether you have questions about Minnesota's Clean Slate Law, need reentry support, or want to connect with our Peer Navigator Network, start by reaching out. Our Contact page will help you find the right next step.
Contact T.O.N.E. U.P.