Criminal conviction record; person convicted of certain offenses to petition for expungement. (SB70)

Introduced By

Sen. Don McEachin (D-Richmond)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Expungement of criminal conviction record.  Allows a person convicted of certain criminal offenses to petition to have his conviction expunged after a five-year period has expired following the conviction, upon a showing that his opportunities for employment, education, or professional licensure are prejudiced by the existence of the criminal record. Expungement would not be available for someone convicted of a violent felony, a DUI-related offense, an offense for which registration on the sex offender registry is required, or domestic violence. Read the Bill »

Status

02/08/2010: Failed to Pass in Committee

History

DateAction
01/04/2010Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10103277D
01/04/2010Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/12/2010Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
02/08/2010Passed by indefinitely in Courts of Justice (13-Y 1-N) (see vote tally)

Comments

Beth writes:

Please let this go through. I was convicted when I was 20 y/o. This forever haunts me everyday. I am not a hard criminal, I was just a stupid young girl. I want to give back to my community, but my record will not allow me to do so. This new bill would help so many people that just made a mistake.

Karen Cole writes:

I am fine with this bill since they specifically include "violent felony, a DUI-related offense, an offense for which registration on the sex offender registry is required, or domestic violence." It allows people who, like Beth, made a mistake to get on with their lives.

Karen Cole writes:

I meant to say exclude in the previous post. Sorry!

BB writes:

But people that were convicted of the aforementioned crimes are undeserving of a second chance? I wonder how many of those people classified as such would be willing to admit that they had made a mistake as well? I'm a sex offender. Guilty of trusting a girl who told me she was eighteen and not asking her for identification. I kissed this girl and am now and forever considered as a someone lurking in the shadows ready to pounce on some helpless victim. Tell me, where is my expungement? Where is my second chance? I admit, I made a mistake...I was eighteen at the time and was way over my head! You know...her parents even confirmed she was eighteen. They told me she was going to register to vote. Why were they not convicted of something?

Michelle writes:

I also would like to see this bill passed. I made a stupid choice in my early 20's (1991) and even though I have had my civil rights restored, have a proven employment history and stayed out of trouble, I have to explain myself more now when looking for jobs than I did in the first 5 years after my conviction when I was asking to be allowed to prove myself.

At what point have we been adequately punished for our transgressions? By having to explain a nearly 20 year old conviction or being disqualified for jobs because I am honest on my job applications, I am being punished beyond the terms of my sentencing order and prevented from putting my past behind me by holier than thou employers who 9 times out of 10 aren't 100% honest in their own day to day lives or business relationships.

Stephen writes:

This should be for all crimes, not just friends of the senator.

Dixie writes:

Thank you for introducing SB 70. A few of us from church have worked with and tried to help a man in his forties who made a non-violent offense and, not understanding all the requirements of probation, made his problem worse. He is hard working, strong, does not drink or use drugs and is trying to quit smoking. All his efforts to secure a job are thwarted because of his record. He could be making a living and paying taxes if he were given a chance.

Jack Ford writes:

Bill failed. Sad. No mercy, no forgiveness.