Records/Record Expungement

Yes, there will be a hearing.

The hearing will last approximately 10-15 minutes. It takes place in front of a pardon board. The board consists of seven individuals appointed by the Governor. Only 5 out of 7 board members have to agree to give you a pardon. The deicion is rendered within minutes after the hearing. 

To apply for a pardon you must complete a pardon application and return it to the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services. The application can be found at www.dppps.sc.gov .

A pardon is the state’s forgiveness for your criminal record. This means that you are fully forgiven for your convictions. A pardon will relieve you from the collateral consequences of your record.

However, it is important to note that pardoned charges will still appear on your criminal record.

Generally, to have a conviction expunged in South Carolina, you will need a total of $310. However, there may be cases where the fees are less or at no cost to you. The fees must be in the form of money orders as no personal checks or cash will be accpeted.

Below is a table that gives you an idea of how much a potential expungement would cost.