Hawaii Expungement & Record Sealing Guide

Who Qualifies for Expungement in Hawaii?

Hawaii's expungement law is limited to non-conviction records and deferred acceptance completions. Conviction expungement for most crimes is not available.

Deferred Acceptance of Guilty/No Contest Plea (DAGP/DANC)

• If you entered a deferred acceptance plea and successfully completed the program, the case is dismissed and your record is automatically expunged
• Available for misdemeanors and some felonies at the court's discretion
• The most common and accessible path to a clean record in Hawaii

Arrest Without Conviction

• If charges were dismissed or not filed — eligible for expungement 1 year after the arrest
• Petition to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC)

Not Available

• Felony convictions (judgment entered)
• Misdemeanor convictions (judgment entered, no deferred acceptance)
• Sex offenses
• Most driving offenses

Step-by-Step: How to Clear Your Record in Hawaii

DAGP/DANC (Automatic)

No action required — upon successful completion, the court automatically dismisses the case and forwards records to HCJDC for expungement.

Arrest Record Expungement

1. Submit an expungement application to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC).
2. HCJDC verifies no conviction exists and clears the arrest record.
3. No court appearance required for most arrest-only cases.

Waiting Periods

• DAGP/DANC completion: Automatic upon completion
• Arrest (no conviction): 1 year from arrest date

Costs

• Filing fee: Generally none for HCJDC petitions
• Attorney fees: $500–$1,500

Legal Aid Society of Hawaii offers free assistance at legalaidhawaii.org.

What Record Clearing Does (and Doesn't) Do in Hawaii

After a successful expungement or sealing in Hawaii, your record will generally be cleared from:

• Most private employer background checks
• Rental housing background checks
• Most licensing board inquiries (varies by profession)

However, it typically does not affect:

• Federal law enforcement and immigration records
• Military background checks
• Applications for law enforcement positions
• Some professional licensing boards (law, medicine, teaching — varies by state)
• Sex offender registry requirements (in most cases)

Disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently. Consult a licensed attorney in Hawaii for advice specific to your situation.