In addition to numerous other new laws, last week saw the passage and signature of H.F. 2576 for criminal expungement reform in Minnesota. This law will give judges greater ability to permanently seal criminal records of those who are granted expungement of records on petition. It is often records kept in online business databases that hinder those with prior felony convictions when seeking a job or an apartment. These records have had a tendency to be inaccurate, incomplete, or misinterpreted, failing to accurately reflect what might have been technically expunged before. With the new legislation, business screening services would have to delete these records that are sealed or expunged.
Prosecutors and law enforcement would still have access to such information for investigations, prosecutions or sentencing in new crimes. People would also have to wait two to four years after probation is complete to petition to seal misdemeanor records and at least five years for nonviolent felonies. (Some crimes are deemed too severe under the new law to expunge.) Still, the hope is that this law will make a key difference for those whose old crimes long hinder their efforts in seeking jobs or housing. As Governor Dayton said, “[p]eople can’t turn their lives around and become law-abiding citizens if they have no hope of finding a decent job or a place to live.”
Online information about getting criminal records expunged in Minnesota is available. Also, a court-sponsored expungement workshop meets in the Ramsey County Law Library on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 1:00 pm. Attendees may pick up the free packet of forms on the 9th floor beforehand.
