Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

17 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

19 hours ago

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

20 hours ago

California’s Newsom Sues Fox News for $787 Million for Defamation Over Trump Call

20 hours ago

Motorcycle Collides With Tractor in Fatal Fresno County Collision

20 hours ago

Fourth of July Celebrations Begin Saturday. Here’s Your Fresno Area Guide

22 hours ago

Bill Moyers, Broadcaster and LBJ’s White House Press Secretary, Dies at 91

2 days ago

State Department Approves $30 Million for Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

2 days ago

Cargo Ship That Caught Fire Carrying Electric Vehicles Sinks in the Pacific

2 days ago

4 Million Acres of California Forests Could Lose Protection. What Trump’s ‘Roadless Rule’ Repeal Could Do

3 days ago
California Bill Would Seal 2 Million Criminal Records
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
February 24, 2020

Share

SACRAMENTO — The California Legislature will consider a bill that would wipe the low-level criminal records of about 2 million people going back decades. It’s the author’s second attempt to remove barriers to finding work or housing.

In California, arrest and conviction records of lower-level felonies and misdemeanors eligible for probation can be expunged. Sex offenders and any offender who served time in prison are ineligible. The bill would not change which records are eligible to be expunged.
The measure is part of a provision that was removed from a bill approved last year that would expunge records of certain arrests and crimes starting in 2021.
Assemblyman Phil Ting, a San Francisco Democrat, proposed the new bill on Monday with the backing of district attorneys from San Francisco and San Joaquin County.
Officials said records like being arrested for domestic violence or impaired driving where charges weren’t filed could be automatically cleared.
In California, arrest and conviction records of lower-level felonies and misdemeanors eligible for probation can be expunged. Sex offenders and any offender who served time in prison are ineligible. The bill would not change which records are eligible to be expunged.
The proposal would automatically clear records dating back to 1973. It’s uncertain if the proposal will succeed this year. A month after Ting introduced his bill last year in February, it was amended in the Assembly to ensure the law would not apply retroactively.

The Proposal Automates That Process, Removing the Need to Petition Judges

Individuals with arrest records and convictions can currently apply to the courts to seal qualifying records, but critics say the process can cost thousands of dollars in attorneys fees. The proposal automates that process, removing the need to petition judges.
“It’s going to cost you a very good attorney and about $10,000 and at least a year of your time,” said Tori Salazar, San Joaquin County district attorney. As a prosecutor, Salazar acknowledged that years ago she would have laughed at the idea that easing the erasure of criminal records would help victims.
“But I stand here today saying this is one of the best victim prevention tools that we have,” she said, because clearing records can help an individual find employment instead of turning to crime.
The California District Attorneys Association didn’t respond to a request weighing in on the proposal.
Last year’s bill requires the state attorney general beginning on Jan. 1, 2021 to scan monthly for qualifying records that can be cleared.
Ting said on Monday that the attorney general’s office will propose funds in this year’s upcoming budget for the development of software to scan for records. Running the program would cost the state pennies to search for an individual’s record, he said.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

DON'T MISS

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

DON'T MISS

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

DON'T MISS

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

DON'T MISS

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

DON'T MISS

Alleged ‘Fake’ ICE Agents Charged. Fresno Court Date Set

DON'T MISS

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

UP NEXT

California’s Newsom Sues Fox News for $787 Million for Defamation Over Trump Call

UP NEXT

Bill Moyers, Broadcaster and LBJ’s White House Press Secretary, Dies at 91

UP NEXT

US Justice Department to Probe Hiring Practices at University of California

UP NEXT

Newsom and Legislature Tangle With Construction Unions Over Minimum Wage

UP NEXT

Tesla Executive, Elon Musk Confidant Leaves EV Maker, Bloomberg News Reports

UP NEXT

4 Million Acres of California Forests Could Lose Protection. What Trump’s ‘Roadless Rule’ Repeal Could Do

UP NEXT

Trump Administration Orders CA to Strip Trans Athlete of Medals

UP NEXT

SoCal Vice Mayor Urges Street Gang ‘Cholos’ to Rise Up Against ICE

UP NEXT

How a Birthday Boat Ride on Lake Tahoe Turned Tragic

UP NEXT

Cuomo Concedes to Mamdani in New York City Democratic Mayoral Contest

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

15 hours ago

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

17 hours ago

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

18 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

19 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

19 hours ago

Alleged ‘Fake’ ICE Agents Charged. Fresno Court Date Set

20 hours ago

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

20 hours ago

California’s Newsom Sues Fox News for $787 Million for Defamation Over Trump Call

20 hours ago

Motorcycle Collides With Tractor in Fatal Fresno County Collision

20 hours ago

Ringo Is Ready to Rock Your World With ‘Pawsitive’ Vibes!

20 hours ago

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency has sent staff to the agency that enforces federal gun laws with the goal of revis...

14 hours ago

American Flag Revolver
14 hours ago

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

Rob_Bonta_Speaking_At_Press_Conference_1280x720
14 hours ago

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

Garry_Bredefeld_Sandra_Celedon_Mesure_C_1280x720
15 hours ago

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

Fresno_Unified_Raises_1280x720
15 hours ago

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

Eastern Market in Washington, D.C.
17 hours ago

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

Obamacare Sign in San Ysidro, California
18 hours ago

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

Pride Flags Fly in New York
19 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

19 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend