It depends on the disposition. Rhode Island allows expungement of most first-time misdemeanor convictions after five years and most first-time felony convictions after ten, subject to eligibility rules. Deferred sentences and filings often result in dismissed cases that seal much sooner. That is one reason the early plea-negotiation posture matters so much - a deferred sentence today can be a sealed record in five years. A full felony conviction, particularly a financial crime, follows you permanently across employment, banking, licensing, and federal contracting until the expungement window opens. A lawyer can structure the plea with the eventual expungement in mind.
