In many cases a first offense felony conviction may be dismissed, set aside and expunged under the provisions of Article 893 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure.

When a conviction is entered under Art. 893, the court defers the imposition of sentence and places the defendant on probation under the supervision of the division of probation and parole. If the court finds at the conclusion of the probationary period that the probation of the defendant has been satisfactory, the court may set the conviction aside and dismiss the prosecution. The dismissal of the prosecution shall have the same effect as acquittal, and the defendant is also entitled to have his or her record expunged.