Under the Clean Slate Act, cases dismissed with prejudice and some offense convictions are automatically removed under the following restrictions: In March 2019, Utah lawmakers unanimously passed HB 431, Utah`s Clean Slate Act, which automatically deletes eligible offense records. This law came into force on February 10, 2022, but the courts administrative office estimates that it may take until early 2023 for all eligible documents to be identified and deleted. “For the courts, this law is about access to justice, an issue that is close to our hearts,” said Ron Gordon, administrator of the state courts. “We know that our legal systems have obstacles and that many of our most needy Utahns need an attorney to help them, and they can`t afford it. The removal of criminal records is one such area. Due to the cost, complicated process, lack of knowledge and lack of legal representation, less than 10% of those authorized to delete their records went through the process. Utah`s Clean Slate Act completely changes this landscape. “Having a blank record is just a better feeling for myself and then not someone to judge me for it,” she said. Among states other than Pennsylvania with laws in place, Utah is the closest to setting up the system.
A law passed in 2019 to clarify old and juvenile criminal records for those who went unpunished for some time went into effect on Thursday. Utah is the second state in the country to implement a “white sheet” law. The first thing people should know about Utah`s Clean Slate Act is that it only applies to misdemeanor cases. If you have a criminal offense, you may still be entitled to erasure under Utah law, but you will need to have your criminal complaint resolved through the petition-based process. More information about this process can be found here. Those acquitted of charges, whose cases have been prejudicially dismissed or whose conviction records are “carefully stacked” will benefit from automatic deletion under the new law. Eligible cases for Clean Slate include Class A drug possession offences, most Class B and C offences, minor offences and violations. The following table typically shows eligibility and wait times: On March 28, 2019, Governor Gary Herbert signed HB 431, making Utah the second state in the country to enact a “Clean Slate” law.
Utah`s Clean Slate Act requires the government to use technology to automatically identify and delete the smaller criminal records of qualified individuals who have remained crime-free for a period of time. This law came into force on May 1, 2020, but its implementation has been delayed due to COVID-19. Government agencies are back on track and working on the final steps needed to start automating the deletion of records. We expect automatic file deletion to begin by the end of 2021.As, as this law will remove all records eligible for blank slate boards, meaning they will be removed from the public. These records are not posted in the Utah State Court`s XChange database and no longer appear in a person`s criminal history. Those affected will be able to legally answer questions about criminal history as if this activity had never taken place. To receive an email or SMS notification about automatic deletion of records, sign up here. Utah, Michigan and Virginia have followed suit, although the law has not yet been implemented in those states. The Connecticut General Assembly passed a bill of its own, but the governor did not commit to signing it, preferring to limit the scope of the crimes in question to see how the system works, and then expand it from there.
At least nine other states are considering automatic laws to delete records, according to the Clean Slate Initiative. Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, here in June 2020, said that clean slate laws offer hope: “We`re talking about people who have paid their debts to society, who have proven that the past is the past and that they have gone beyond and are better off now,” Due to the cost, complexity and lack of legal assistance, more than 90% of people eligible to clear their criminal records under Utah law never manage to get through the process. As a result, thousands of people in our state are barred from housing and working because of their criminal records. This comes at a high cost to individuals, families and taxpayers. The Salt Lake City Chamber has been a big supporter of the clean slate law in Utah, and more and more employers across the country are advocating for support for clean slate policies. That`s because Clean Slate is good for the economy. Removing the criminal record barrier increases the likelihood that a person will receive an interview or job offer. Our economy needs more workers, and it`s good for all of us to bring talented people back to our tax base. Are you interested in being a commercial support or do you want to spread Clean Slate in your business? Contact destiny@cleanslateutah.org to discuss corporate donations or download a copy of our business toolkit here. “Clean Slate is an important step in rebuilding our workforce and driving our economic recovery,” said Derek Miller, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance. “The smart policy of automating the eradication process will give thousands of deserving Utahns the second chance they deserve, while making our state a better place to live and work. This is a reasonable solution to fill the gaps in fairness and opportunity, a solution that will further consolidate our status as a better state for business.
We have been joined by the progressive Center for American Progress and the Justice Action Network, a bipartisan coalition working to reform the criminal justice system. Supporters of the clean vest proposal have got Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers to support the legislation. The business community, state police, faith groups, courts, and even the Philadelphia Eagles football team have also joined. “There`s this really horrible situation where they`re crime-free, they`re trying to move forward, but every time they try, the door is closed and they can`t get away from that past, even if it`s minor, old or just a stupid mistake from years ago,” said Noella Sudbury, a lawyer and former director of the Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Advisory Council. which led the efforts in Utah to pass a clean law. Utah`s predominantly Republican legislature unanimously passed a bill of its own in 2019, making it the second state in the country to automate the process of clearing criminal records of people who have committed certain offenses. The law allows people who have committed non-violent offenses and violations to automatically seal records within three to seven years, depending on the offense. Derek Miller, president of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, said clean laws are not only good for the economy, they are good for people.
People who have been acquitted of the charge, who have dismissed cases with prejudice, or who have conviction records that meet the definition of “eligible Clean Slate” under the law will benefit from automatic removal under Utah`s Clean Slate Act. Noella Sudbury, executive director of Clean Slate Utah, said her organization can help anyone interested in removal by answering common questions about automatic and petition-based sharing. She urged people to follow the organization on social media. For more information, see cleanslateutah.org. To reduce this burden, an increasing number of states are using technology to automate the process, which does not require action on the part of people who want to deepen their rap sheets. Pennsylvania was the first to pass a law in 2018 where the government identifies and removes certain criminal records.
