Criminal records: destruction.
- Authorizes individuals under age 26 to petition courts to seal and destroy eligible criminal records after 4 years.
- Requires law enforcement agencies to seal records within 90 days and destroy them within one year of court orders.
- Excludes serious crimes, violent felonies, and sex offenses from eligibility for record sealing.
- Denies relief to petitioners who have not paid victim restitution or were convicted of new offenses.
Assembly Member Lowenthal's criminal records legislation creates a pathway for individuals arrested or convicted before age 26 to petition courts for sealing and destruction of their records after a four-year waiting period. The measure applies to non-violent offenses and requires petitioners to remain conviction-free during the waiting period while completing any associated sentences or supervision.
The bill establishes specific procedures for courts and law enforcement agencies to process these petitions. Courts must evaluate whether granting relief serves the interests of justice, while designated agencies must seal records within 90 days of a court order and destroy them within one year. The Department of Justice must confirm compliance with sealing and destruction orders. The legislation excludes serious felonies, violent crimes, sex offenses, and violations that can enhance future sentences. Petitioners with outstanding victim restitution payments remain ineligible.
Upon receiving relief, individuals may legally deny the sealed arrest or conviction occurred. Courts retain sealed copies of orders and records, accessible only to petitioners and their counsel. The bill requires state reimbursement to local agencies for costs associated with implementing these new record-sealing mandates, subject to review by the Commission on State Mandates.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
 Joaquin ArambulaD Assembly Member | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Buffy WicksD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Lisa CalderonD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Mike FongD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Diane DixonR Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
- Authorizes individuals under age 26 to petition courts to seal and destroy eligible criminal records after 4 years.
- Requires law enforcement agencies to seal records within 90 days and destroy them within one year of court orders.
- Excludes serious crimes, violent felonies, and sex offenses from eligibility for record sealing.
- Denies relief to petitioners who have not paid victim restitution or were convicted of new offenses.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Lowenthal's criminal records legislation creates a pathway for individuals arrested or convicted before age 26 to petition courts for sealing and destruction of their records after a four-year waiting period. The measure applies to non-violent offenses and requires petitioners to remain conviction-free during the waiting period while completing any associated sentences or supervision.
The bill establishes specific procedures for courts and law enforcement agencies to process these petitions. Courts must evaluate whether granting relief serves the interests of justice, while designated agencies must seal records within 90 days of a court order and destroy them within one year. The Department of Justice must confirm compliance with sealing and destruction orders. The legislation excludes serious felonies, violent crimes, sex offenses, and violations that can enhance future sentences. Petitioners with outstanding victim restitution payments remain ineligible.
Upon receiving relief, individuals may legally deny the sealed arrest or conviction occurred. Courts retain sealed copies of orders and records, accessible only to petitioners and their counsel. The bill requires state reimbursement to local agencies for costs associated with implementing these new record-sealing mandates, subject to review by the Commission on State Mandates.
Latest Voting History
Joaquin ArambulaD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Buffy WicksD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Lisa CalderonD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Mike FongD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Diane DixonR Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |