Over the years, I have received MANY calls from people looking to have their past misdeeds sealed or otherwise erased from their records. Most of those callers were good people with petty convictions in their distant past. Most of them did what society wanted. They learned from their mistakes and led productive lives.
They were always disappointed when I told them there was nothing I could do to help them.
For the longest time, New York State law has not allowed adult arrest and conviction records to be expunged (erased). That is going to change in a big way this fall.
Starting in October, New York state residents will be able to apply to have up to two misdemeanors and one nonviolent felony criminal conviction sealed if they meet certain conditions. The process does not automatically guarantee a person’s records will be expunged but it gives them an opportunity to make their case. The link below will provide more details.
This is a radical change in New York law. Safeguards will be built into the new system to protect against individuals with serious offenses from benefiting from the new law. The fact that the new law was supported by the both the District Attorney’s Association of New York and the defense bar speaks volumes.
