New rules coming soon to help people clear old criminal records

Starting October 1st, it will get a lot easier for people with old felony convictions to get them expunged from their record – as Senate Bill 731, passed two years ago, is fully implemented. Before, only records from 2005 or later could be cleared, but now the law covers records from as far back as 1973.

Saun Hough, vocational services administrator with the nonprofit Shields for Families in South L.A., said this is significant.

“It’s estimated that an additional 4.5 million people will have felony records that are now eligible for expungement,” Hough explained.

Advocates of criminal justice reform spoke out in Sacramento on Aug. 21 to raise awareness as part of the Time Done Day of Advocacy. The law also allows petitions for expungement to be filed at your local courthouse, and the state Department of Justice will start conducting automated petitions. A website called expungemyrecord.org just launched this week to help people navigate the process.

Hough said clearing the criminal record of old convictions can vastly improve a person’s chances of getting a job, renting an apartment, obtaining a professional license, and much more.

“It allows for the opportunity to coach your children’s team literally, it allows for the opportunity to be members of your HOA board. it just really allows for full participation back into society and into your community,” Hough continued.

People can petition to have many types of non-sexual felony convictions expunged two years after completing any parole or probation as long as they have no new offenses.