March 18, 23

NEWS / California to permanently seal old convictions on criminal records

The State of California is expected to become the first state to permanently seal old criminal records, making it easier for millions of Californians to find employment, education opportunities, and residence. The bill, known as SB 731, was introduced by Democratic State Senator María Elena Durazo in March 2021 and signed into law by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom on September 27, 2022. Starting July 1, 2023, The law will automatically seal arrest and conviction records in California for individuals who had not had any arrests or convictions in the last 4 years. The law does not apply to serious felonies and sex offenses. An estimated 225,000 Californians will have an old conviction automatically sealed, while over a million more would be able to petition a judge to get their records sealed. Once the records are sealed, they would be allowed to answer “No” to questions about past arrests and criminal convictions in job and housing applications. Law enforcement will still have access to those records. According to the Alliance for Safety and Justice, California now has the most comprehensive record sealing system and joins Pennsylvania, Utah, Michigan, Connecticut, Delaware, Oklahoma, and Colorado in allowing individuals to seal their past records. Proponents say that the law would not only ease the burden on the lives of California residents with prior convictions or arrests, who make up to 20% of the population, but also make it easier for them to contribute to society, with an estimated additional $20 billion added to the state’s economy. Opponents say the law would jeopardize public safety and argue that 4 years is not enough to determine that an individual is no longer criminally dangerous.