Clearing A Record
Wis. Stat. 973.015 — expunction ordered at sentencing, for an offense committed before 25
Decided at sentencing. A Wisconsin court may order, at the time of sentencing, that a record be expunged once the sentence is successfully completed, when the person was under 25 at the time of the offense and the offense carries a maximum of 6 years or less, if the court decides the person will benefit and society will not be harmed.
Successful completion means no conviction for a later offense and, on probation, no revocation and the conditions met. The detaining or probation authority then issues a certificate of discharge to the court, which has the effect of expunging the record.
- A Class H or Class I felony cannot be expunged if the person has a prior felony conviction at any time, or if it is a violent offense.
- A Class H felony that is stalking, or one of certain other offenses the section names, cannot be expunged.
- Driving records the Department of Transportation is required to keep are not reached.
A separate provision lets a court, on motion, vacate or expunge a prostitution conviction of a person who committed it as a result of being a victim of sex trafficking.
Sources for this section (1)
- Wis. Stat. 973.015 — Special disposition
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Wisconsin attorney.