Sometimes good people make one bad choice, oftentimes at a young age, that can lead to a blemish on their

“That one small mistake can keep them from obtaining a job, getting a home or even getting into a certain school,” explained Calcasieu Parish District Attorney Stephen Dwight. That is why he is proud to host “A New Day.” “This allows people to right their wrongs, start over again and gain back their independence.”

The District Attorney’s office is now taking applications – for an individual’s two dates of arrest only – for the expungement event scheduled for April 2024. It is important that the process begins right away for those eligible.   

“An expungement typically takes at least six months to process,” said Bethany Bryant, a spokesperson from the DA’s Office. For each “A New Day” applicant, comes research into the individual’s history and the disposition of the cases.”

During the six-month window, there will be a time for approved applicants to be fingerprinted. Fingerprints will be sent to the Louisiana State Police. Court costs, fines and restitution paid records are reviewed. Court appearances may be necessary.

“This multifaceted process involving several agencies does not happen overnight,” Bryant said. “That’s why it’s important for applicants to begin the process right away.”

At the expungement event in April, applicants who have submitted applications in time to have the process completed, will meet with a professional trained to fill out the actual motion for expungement. The DA’s Office and representatives from Louisiana State Police, Clerk of Court and other Law Enforcement will be on site to review the motion. Fees are paid at the April event.

New Day expungement fees are reduced from the typical fees of $550 to $350. There is an additional cost of up to $100 for each DWI conviction, because an additional agency, the Office of Motor Vehicles, is involved, and they have to expunge their records.

For individuals with no felony convictions and no pending felony charges that meet certain qualifications, certain fees might be waived. Some applicants might pay no fees.

Individuals who have a conviction for a possession of marijuana first offense could be eligible to have that conviction expunged for $200 by applying for “A New Day” expungement.

After the judge approves paperwork, the expungement process will begin. “A New Day obtains all the necessary paperwork and eliminates the need to hire a private attorney and/or having to go through the process alone.

Criminal history may be considered when applying for employment, housing, federal loans or military service. It can affect familial rights like child custody or qualifying to care for someone who requires 24-hour in-home care, according to the DA’s office.

The following may be eligible for expungement, but not through the “A New Day” program: Arrests and/or convictions not from Calcasieu Parish. (That includes federal charges.) No juvenile arrests and adjudications, misdemeanor or felony arrests or convictions that are sex offenses, crimes where the victim is a minor, domestic abuse battery, stalking or crimes where the victim suffers serious bodily harm or death, convictions or distribution of CDS, convictions of crimes of violence, burglary, carjacking, criminal abortion, disarming of a peace officer, distribution of certain drugs, false imprisonment, feticide, home invasion, human trafficking, intentional exposure to AIDS, kidnapping, possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies, robbery…. (This list is not detailed. For  a complete list, go to the DA’s office website.)

Download an application at the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney website or submit an application in person at the first floor window of the DA’s Office located at 901 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles. Call (337) 437-3400 to find out more.