---
title: "What is the difference between expungement and sealing in Rhode Island?"
description: "Sealing is for cases that never produced a conviction; expungement is for cases that did. If your charge was dismissed, the grand jury returned a no true bill, the prosecutor filed a no information,..."
url: https://bankandmunns.com/faq-items/what-is-the-difference-between-expungement-and-sealing-in-rhode-island/
date: 2026-07-18
modified: 2026-09-30
author: "Bank and Munns"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# What is the difference between expungement and sealing in Rhode Island?

Sealing is for cases that never produced a conviction; expungement is for cases that did. If your charge was dismissed, the grand jury returned a no true bill, the prosecutor filed a no information, you were found not guilty, or you completed a one-year filing without a violation, the record is sealed under R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1-12, and there is no waiting period. If you were convicted or placed on probation, the record must be expunged under Chapter 12-1.3 after its 5, 10, or 15 year waiting period. For employers and landlords the effect is nearly identical. A case with both dismissed and convicted counts often needs both motions.