Utah Record Clearing Options

At Rasa, we make it easy for people to clear their criminal records in Utah. But not everyone qualifies for the same type of record clearance. That’s why it’s important to understand your options.

There are three main ways to clear a record in Utah. Each one works a little differently, and the right choice depends on your record and options:

Expungement: The most complete option. This process removes your record from public view. Best for people who meet strict eligibility rules and want a fresh start with no record showing up on background checks.
402 Reductions: Lowers the severity of a conviction, like reducing a felony to a misdemeanor. This can make expungement possible by making ineligible records eligible, get you out of felony status, or help with jobs and housing. Best for people who are close to qualifying for expungement or not eligible for full expungement, but want to improve how their record looks.
Pardons: For people who have too many records or the type of record that doesn’t qualify for expungement or reduction, but have not been involved in the justice system for at least 5 years.

If you're not sure where to start, don’t worry! This page will help you compare your options so you can choose the best path forward. Plus, you can use Rasa’s eligibility tool to see what you qualify for in just a few minutes. Ready to take the next step? Let’s explore your options.

Expungement in Utah

Expungement is the most powerful way to clear a criminal record in Utah. When a record is expunged, it is removed from public view, meaning employers and landlords will no longer see it ,and it won’t show up on background checks. This gives people a fresh start, making it easier to get jobs, housing, and other opportunities.

Who Is Expungement Best For?

Expungement is a great option for people who are eligible to have their criminal record completely erased from public records. Usually, it works best for those who:

Have eligible offenses under Utah’s expungement laws
Completed all terms of their sentence, including probation or parole
Have paid all fines, fees, and restitution
Have remained crime-free for the required amount of time after their conviction
Do not have too many total convictions, as numerical limits apply.

What Does Expungement Do?

In Utah, a person can petition the court to remove their record from public view. In most cases, this means that you no longer have to check the box and can respond to questions about your criminal record as if it never occurred. . Expungement also results in an ‘Order of Expungement’ which means all government agencies, including the FBI,, have to remove your record from their databases.

Am I Eligible for Expungement?

Not everyone qualifies for expungement. Utah has strict rules about who can and cannot expunge their record. In general:

Certain crimes cannot be expunged, such as violent felonies and registerable sex offenses.
There are waiting periods based on the type of conviction. To expunge a misdemeanor, you have to remain crime free 3-5 years, and for felonies, you typically have to remain crime free 5-7 years, before you can apply.
People with too many convictions may not qualify for expungement
If someone has an open case, is on probation, or is on parole, they are not going to be eligible until after their cases have closed.

How Rasa Can Help with Expungement

Expungement involves multiple legal steps, including filing petitions, gathering court records, and possibly attending hearings. Rasa handles the complicated parts for you by:

Checking your eligibility
Helping you apply to BCI
Preparing and filing your expungement petition
Helping you draft compelling personal statements
Dealing with objections or responses from the court
Handling any court hearings
Ensuring you obtain all final documents and expungement orders

Expungement can change your future, but the process takes time. The sooner you start, the sooner your record can be cleared. Check your eligibility today with Rasa and take the first step toward a clean slate.

402 Reductions in Utah

A 402 Reduction is a way to lower the severity of a past conviction, making it look better on background checks. While it doesn’t erase a record like expungement, it can help in important ways—like improving job and housing opportunities or even making expungement possible in the future.

Who Are 402 Reductions Best For?

A 402 Reduction is a good option for people who:

Are close to qualifying for expungement but whose record is just outside the numerical limits
Want to get out of felony status or lessen the severity of a charge to improve job, housing, or educational opportunities.
Need a lesser charge to meet certain licensing or employment requirements.

How 402 Reductions Work

In Utah, a person can file a motion to reduce the severity of a conviction by one or two levels if they meet specific conditions. For example:

In some cases, a felony can be reduced to a misdemeanor
A Class A misdemeanor can be lowered to a Class B or Class C misdemeanor, reducing its impact

The court has the final say in whether a reduction is granted. However, getting a charge lowered can open doors to better opportunities.

Can a 402 Reduction Help You Qualify for Expungement?

Yes! Some people are just one step away from being eligible for expungement, but their conviction is too high-level. Some employers will hire people with misdemeanors, but won’t hire someone with a felony-level record. A 402 Reduction can fix this, making expungement possible when it wasn’t before.

The easiest way to know if this applies to you? Use Rasa’s eligibility tool to check in minutes.

How Rasa Can Help with 402 Reductions

Getting a 402 Reduction requires filing legal paperwork, working with the court, and sometimes attending a hearing. Rasa makes the process simple by:

Checking if you qualify for a 402 Reduction
Drafting a compelling personal statement
Preparing and filing your motionHandling any responses from the court or prosecutors.
Guiding you through the legal steps and explaining what to expect

A 402 Reduction is a great way to improve your record, even if you don’t qualify for expungement.

Pardons in Utah

Pardons are an official forgiveness granted by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. A pardon ultimately results in an order of expungement, and it can remove legal barriers and improve opportunities. If you are not eligible for expungement or a 402 Reduction, a pardon may be your best option for moving forward.

Who Are Pardons Best For?

A pardon is a great option for people who:

Are not eligible for expungement due to the nature or number of their convictions.
Have completed their sentence and demonstrated rehabilitation over time.
Want to improve their chances of getting a job, housing, or professional licensing.
Need official recognition from the state that they have turned their life around.

How Pardons Work in Utah

When a pardon is granted, you can use those documents to obtain an order of expungement.
After receiving a pardon, you may be able to apply for expungement, even if you were previously ineligible.
The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole makes the decision to grant a pardon, which looks at factors like time since the offense, rehabilitation, and community impact.

Unlike expungement, there are no strict eligibility rules—each case is reviewed individually. However, a strong application that demonstrates positive change is essential and generally, the Board of Pardons wants to see that you have been out of the justice system and remained crime-free for a minimum of 5 years before applying.

Does Rasa Help with Pardons?

At this time, Rasa does not provide Pardon services. However, we can refer you to Clean Slate Utah who can help walk you through the process of applying.