New York State Bar Association Endorses the Clean Slate Act
3.26.2022
The New York State Bar Association’s Executive Committee voted today to support legislation that would automatically seal criminal records for most state residents.
“It is devastating for those convicted of crimes to know that employers, landlords and other members of the community have such easy access to their criminal records,” said NYSBA President T. Andrew Brown, of Rochester (Brown Hutchinson). “It is in no one’s best interest to keep so many fellow New Yorkers from leading full, productive lives once they have paid their debts to society. The current system — which has a disproportionate impact on people of color — must be reformed.”
The Clean Slate Act, S.1553C/Myrie; A.6339B/Cruz, would seal the records of New Yorkers convicted of misdemeanors and traffic offenses three years after the completion of community service or prison while the waiting period would be seven years for felonies. People convicted of sex offenses would not be eligible.
“A criminal record is a serious impediment to getting a job or finding housing,” said Robert Dean, chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Mandated Representation. “This is a tremendous opportunity for people to rebuild their lives. Those who have done their time should not continue to suffer for past mistakes.”
Sealed records would only be made available to the court and law enforcement agencies in limited circumstances such as when a person with a sealed record is a witness or defendant in a criminal or civil proceeding.
About the New York State Bar Association
The New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Since 1876, the Association has helped shape the development of law, educated and informed the legal profession and the public, and championed the rights of New Yorkers through advocacy and guidance in our communities.
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Contact: Brandon Vogel
bvogel@nysba.org
518-487-5644
