Police and court records; expungement of certain charges and convictions. (SB796)

Introduced By

Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville) with support from co-patron Sen. Roz Dance (D-Petersburg)

Progress

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

Description

Expungement of certain charges and convictions. Allows a person to petition for expungement of convictions and deferred disposition dismissals for marijuana possession, underage alcohol possession, and using a false ID to obtain alcohol when the offense occurred prior to the person's twenty-first birthday; all court costs, fines, and restitution have been paid; and five years have elapsed since the date of completion of all terms of sentencing and probation. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
10/04/2016Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17100310D
10/04/2016Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/16/2017Reported from Courts of Justice (12-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/17/2017Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/17/2017Impact statement from DPB (SB796)
01/18/2017Read second time and engrossed
01/19/2017Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/30/2017Placed on Calendar
01/30/2017Read first time
01/30/2017Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
02/08/2017Assigned Courts sub: Criminal Law
02/15/2017Subcommittee recommends laying on the table
02/21/2017Left in Courts of Justice

Comments

ACLU-VA Criminal Justice, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

The ACLU of Virginia supports this common-sense approach to offering a second chance to youth offenders. Currently, no conviction in Virginia can be expunged. Long after sentences or probation is complete; long after the debt to society has been paid; young people with slight indiscretions are burdened with a constant mark against them forever. This impacts their ability to find jobs, succeed in school, and avoid future run-ins with the criminal justice system. It's past time for Virginia to allow expungement of minor misdemeanors committed by youthful offenders. It’s time for Virginia to offer second chances.