You are reading

Queens Assemblywoman Sponsors Bill That Would Seal and Expunge Criminal Records

Queens Assembly Member Catalina Cruz on a virtual press briefing Thursday (Photo: via Zoom)

March 3, 2021 By Michael Dorgan 

Queens Assembly Member Catalina Cruz is sponsoring a bill that would see the conviction records of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers expunged if passed.

The bill, called the Clean Slate Act, aims to effectively seal and expunge the criminal history of New Yorkers who have been convicted of a crime as a means to help them integrate back into society. The bill does not apply to those convicted of crimes such as murder, manslaughter and sex crimes.

Advocates for the bill, such as Cruz, say that people who have served time in prison have paid their debt to society and should not be forever burdened with a record. People with criminal records, they say, find it difficult to find employment and access housing.

“We must eliminate the collateral damage created by past conviction records,” Cruz said during a virtual press briefing Thursday.

“As part of our ongoing pursuit of true criminal justice reform, we must focus on human dignity, fairness, and guaranteeing that individuals are not punished beyond their sentences,” Cruz said.

The legislation, which is in committee, consists of a two-step process where past convictions are sealed and later expunged if certain conditions are met.

A person convicted of a felony– who serves prison time– would have their record automatically sealed three years after getting out of jail. After seven years of leaving prison, the record would be expunged.

In the case of a misdemeanor, it would be sealed one year after getting out of jail–or if the person is not given jail time, it would apply a year after sentencing. The record would be expunged five years after being released from jail– or from the time of sentencing.

Sealed convictions would not show up for most civil background checks, such as for housing and employment. When the record is expunged, it directs the court to treat the criminal conviction as if it had never occurred. It essentially removes it from a defendant’s criminal record.

However, people will not be eligible to have their record sealed or expunged if they have criminal charges pending or are on probation or parole. Serious crimes like murder come with lifetime parole, Cruz said.

The legislation is named after the Clean Slate campaign— an initiative being carried out across several states that seeks to reform the criminal justice system. The New York branch of the campaign is made up of groups like the Center for Community Alternatives, the Community Service Society of New York and the Legal Aid Society.

The campaign group said that the bill had the potential to expunge the records of 2.3 million state residents.

Advocates say that a Michigan law that expunged convictions in that state has proven successful. Within one year of expunging conviction records, people who had criminal records in Michigan were 11 percent more likely to be employed and earn higher wages, the group stated–citing a study conducted last year.

The New York branch of the Clean Slate campaign said that black and brown New Yorkers are most affected by the consequences of a conviction record due to over-policing and over-prosecution.

“Records clearance remains out of reach for most New Yorkers, worsening racial and economic inequality,” Clean Slate New York said in a statement.

“We have the opportunity now to reverse course by ensuring more New Yorkers can access relief, and that all those who can benefit will – automatically.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story said Cruz was a co-sponsor of the bill. She is in fact the sponsor.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Suspect sought in Kew Gardens jewel heist at private residence near Forest Park: NYPD

Police from the 102nd Precinct in Richmond Hill are looking for a bearded burglar who was captured on video surveillance pulling off a jewel heist at a Kew Gardens home four blocks east of Forest Park late last month.

The suspect was seen walking on 84th Street near 118th Street at around 4:45 a.m. when he unlawfully entered a private residence through a rear door. Once inside, the suspect went into a bedroom and removed a black box, which contained jewelry valued at approximately $1,950, police said. The stranger left the home and ran off southbound on 118th Street toward Bessemer Street in Richmond Hill. There were no injuries reported after the jewel heist.

Community gathers in Kew Gardens Hills to remember 9/11 with prayer, reflection and unity

Sep. 16, 2025 By Robert Pearl

As the nation marked the 24th anniversary of Sept. 11, the Jewish community of Kew Gardens Hills came together on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills for a moving memorial service that honored the lives lost and the resilience of New Yorkers. Hosted by Zev Brenner of the podcast “Talkline with Zev Brenner,” the solemn evening blended prayer, music and heartfelt words from civic leaders and neighbors.

With US Open done, Kantu serves up winning brunch in Forest Hills

Sep. 9, 2025 By Claude Solnik

Brunch, or at least breakfast, is a fairly common offering across New York City restaurants. And these morning meals often follow basic rules and menus with fairly similar offerings such as eggs, traditional omelets and maybe a Mimosa. When it comes to good food and, in particular, brunches that depart from the usual, Kantu really can do.