We are calling on Louisiana lawmakers to pass legislation that prevents dismissed or dropped charges from appearing on criminal background checks and public records.
No one should be punished for a crime they were never convicted of.

We, the undersigned citizens of Louisiana, respectfully urge our state lawmakers to reform our criminal record laws to automatically remove or seal all dismissed, dropped, or acquitted charges from public view.

Under current Louisiana law, even when someone’s case is dismissed or not prosecuted, that record can still appear in background checks. This causes serious and unfair harm to individuals seeking employment, housing, education, and stability — despite never being convicted of a crime.

This outdated policy:

Discourages rehabilitation and opportunity

Creates barriers to employment and housing

Causes emotional distress and stigma

Disproportionately affects low-income and minority communities

We believe in fairness and second chances.

If a person’s case was dismissed, that means the justice system found no cause to convict — and that person should not be marked for life.

We are asking our legislators to:

Amend Louisiana’s criminal record laws to ensure that dismissed, dropped, or acquitted cases are automatically sealed and do not appear on background checks.

Expand access to expungement without costly court fees or legal barriers for these cases.

Educate employers and background check agencies about these changes to prevent discrimination against individuals with non-convictions.

By supporting this reform, Louisiana can lead the South in giving its citizens the dignity of a true second chance.

Under the current law, individuals with dismissed cases continue to suffer the same public stigma and barriers as those who were convicted, despite having been cleared of all wrongdoing. This practice undermines the principles of fairness, due process, and rehabilitation that our justice system is built upon.

One of the undersigned citizens, a resident of St. Mary Parish, personally experienced this injustice when a dismissed case continued to appear on employment background checks, making it difficult to secure stable jobs and rebuild a normal life. This experience reflects a broader problem affecting thousands of Louisianans every year.

The continued public display of dismissed cases:

Violates the spirit of “innocent until proven guilty”

Creates unnecessary economic and social hardship

Discourages rehabilitation and reintegration

Places Louisiana behind other states that have enacted automatic sealing for non-convictions

We respectfully urge the Legislature to:

Amend Louisiana Revised Statutes to require automatic removal or sealing of all dismissed, dropped, or acquitted cases within a defined timeframe.

Eliminate or reduce filing fees and procedural barriers for individuals seeking expungement of such records.

Establish compliance requirements for background check companies to ensure accurate, up-to-date reporting in accordance with these reforms.

By enacting this change, Louisiana can protect the rights and reputations of its citizens, strengthen its workforce, and promote justice that truly aligns with fairness and rehabilitation.

Respectfully submitted,

Brittney Green