Known as the Clean Slate Act, the legislation would permit the automatic sealing of records for those convicted of low-level, nonviolent drug crimes after they have served their sentences and and seal the record of arrestees who were not convicted. Providing funding will encourage states to embrace these important reforms.ĬOLUMN: COVID pandemic and isolation likely pushed spike in 2020 homicides and assaultsĬongress has begun moving toward achieving the first two steps, through bipartisan legislation introduced in both the Senate and the House. Most convictions occur at the state level, and most criminal records are state records. ►Set aside money for grants to help states establish their own automatic record-sealing policies. Records would still be available to criminal justice agencies. ►Pass legislation that allows people convicted of more serious federal offenses to petition to have records sealed – as long as they, too, are free of other convictions for the same period of time. Police, courts and other criminal justice agencies would still have records access. Also, federal arrests that result in acquittals (or no charges) should be sealed in six months or less. This should happen only after a conviction-free period of seven years or less. ►Act to have public records automatically sealed for low-level, nonviolent federal convictions such as simple drug possession. Our Task Force on Federal Priorities outlined three steps to help free people of the enduring and harmful stigma of criminal records.
As chairman of that panel, I believe strongly that adoption of this measure – along with several other recommendations we've made – will significantly advance the fairness and effectiveness of our federal criminal justice system. This approach is the keystone of a recommendation by a task force convened by the Council on Criminal Justice. One solution is to legislate “clean slate” policies – the automatic sealing of some lower-level criminal records.
A University of Michigan study found that less than 7% of people who can get their records expunged do so within five years after they qualify. Most are either unaware of their right to petition for relief or deterred by the cost and complexity of the process. Many Americans are eligible to have their criminal records sealed or expunged, lowering barriers to rehabilitation and the odds of recidivism. Any boss or landlord conducting a background check can see the public record, assume the worst and decline to take a risk. Regardless of the nature of the charge or its disposition in court, that record can be like a scarlet R, haunting people for life as they seek jobs, an apartment or admission to college. Watch Video: Doctor cries seeing diploma after turning life aroundĪ third of American adults have an arrest or criminal record of some kind.
0 kommentar(er)
