A provision under the new bill requires business screening services to delete records if they are knowledgeable that a criminal record is the subject of a pardon, or if it has been expunged or sealed.
How long an individual has to wait to have his or her records expunged depends entirely on the type of offense committed and the severity of the conviction. The level of the offense determines the amount of time needed to prove that he or she was law-abiding.
Individuals who may benefit from the new expungement law in Minnesota are those who meet any of these requirements:
- Successfully completing diversion program terms or a stay of adjudication for more than a one-year period;
- Being convicted of a petty misdemeanor or a misdemeanor but remaining law abiding for a two-year period after the completion of probation;
- Being convicted of a gross misdemeanor but remaining law abiding for a four-year period after the completion of probation;
- Being convicted of a felony offense classified as low-level but being law abiding for a five-year period after the completion of probation.
The Second Chance Expungement Bill, according to Dayton, provides individuals an opportunity to put their pasts behind them and lead better lives. After all, it is difficult for people to turn their lives around and become law-abiding citizens if they cannot find a place to live or a decent job.
According to studies, almost one in five Minnesota residents have a criminal record or arrest. Thankfully, the new expungement law has made it much easier for individuals with a criminal conviction to start with a clean slate.
Source: Myfoxtwincities.com