First things first: there are two ways of potentially clearing your criminal record in the United States-"expunging" the record and "sealing" the record.

An expungement removes arrests and convictions from your criminal record entirely, as if they never happened. Even courts and prosecutors cannot access an expunged record.

Sealing a criminal record, on the other hand, removes that record from public view, such as for background checks. However, sealed records can still be accessed by court order.