{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-16-805-perm","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 16-805(Perm)","heading":"Automatic sealing of criminal records.","body":"\n  *NOTE: This codification is not the most current, due to recent law changes. To see the current law (including emergency and temporary legislation, if relevant) click this link: Current Version*\n  \n\n(a)\nExcept as otherwise provided in this chapter and in subsection (b) of this section, the Court shall order automatic sealing of all criminal records and court proceedings related to:\n(1)\nCitations, arrests, or charges for the commission of a criminal offense; provided, that the case was terminated by the prosecutor or otherwise reached a final disposition and did not result in a conviction or acquittal pursuant to § 24-501; and\n(2)\nCitations, arrests, charges, and convictions for the commission of a misdemeanor offense that resulted in a conviction; provided, that a waiting period of at least 10 years has elapsed since completion of the sentence.\n\n(b)\nThe Court shall not order automatic sealing pursuant to this section if the citation, arrest, charge, or conviction is for:\n(1)\nAn intrafamily offense, as defined in § 16-1001(8);\n(2)\nParental kidnapping, as described in § 16-1022;\n(3)\nCriminal abuse of a vulnerable adult or elderly person, as described in § 22-933;\n(4)\nFinancial exploitation of a vulnerable adult or elderly person, as described in § 22-933.01;\n(5)\nRefusal or neglect of a guardian to provide for child under 14 years of age, as described in § 22-1102;\n(6)\nIncest, as defined in § 22-1901;\n(7)\nMisdemeanor sexual abuse, as defined in § 22-3006;\n(8)\nViolation of Chapter 30A of Title 22;\n(9)\nViolation of Chapter 31 of Title 22;\n(10)\nViolation of Chapter 31A of Title 22;\n(11)\nAn offense for which sex offender registration is required pursuant to Chapter 40 of Title 22, and the registration period has not expired;\n(12)\nViolation of Chapter 40 of Title 22, as described in § 22-4015;\n(13)\nA dangerous crime, as defined in § 23-1331(3);\n(14)\nA crime of violence, as defined in § 23-1331(4);\n(15)\nDriving under the influence (known as DUI) of alcohol or a drug, as described in § 50-2206.11;\n(16)\nDriving under the influence of alcohol or a drug; commercial vehicle, as described in § 50-2206.12; or\n(17)\nOperating a vehicle while impaired, as described in § 50-2206.14.\n\n(c)\nCriminal records and court proceedings:\n(1)\nRelated to citations, arrests, and charges sealed pursuant to subsection (a)(1) of this section:\n(A)\nFor which the case was terminated by the prosecutor or otherwise reached a final disposition and did not result in a conviction or acquittal pursuant to § 24-501 prior to [March 10, 2023], shall be sealed by October 1, 2027, or within 90 days after termination of the case by the prosecutor or final disposition, whichever is later; and\n(B)\nFor which the case was terminated by the prosecutor or otherwise reached a final disposition and did not result in a conviction or acquittal pursuant to § 24-501 on or after [March 10, 2023], shall be sealed within 90 days after termination of the case by the prosecutor or final disposition, whichever is later; and\n(2)\nRelated to citations, arrests, charges, and convictions sealed pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of this section shall be sealed by October 1, 2027, or within 90 days after the expiration of the waiting period, whichever is later.","path":["Title 99. Reserved sections."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/16-805(Perm)","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"5903e79c2d95c516556802851759a3cf80fd3e0d8041b8896dcb95b0a6eb3d97","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-2-574-perm","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-47-813-perm"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}