Post by Logan on Feb 17, 2016 0:37:11 GMT -6
Gov. Tom Wolf signs bill allowing ex-offenders to keep minor crimes off the public record
One of life's reset buttons may soon get a little more accessible for many Pennsylvanians with criminal records.
Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill Tuesday that will let ex-offenders who have stayed out of trouble for 10 years after a conviction for most second- or third-degree misdemeanors petition courts to have records of the old crime sealed.
The change would essentially remove the convictions from employers' background checks, school admissions or loan applications, with the intent of opening more doors to those trying to build better lives for themselves.
"Too many first-time and low-level offenders are serving their time and unable to improve their lives after leaving the system because they have a criminal record," Wolf said. "They are too likely then to return to the system.
Read more: www.pennlive.com/news/2016/02/gov_wolf_signs_bill_allowing_j.html
One of life's reset buttons may soon get a little more accessible for many Pennsylvanians with criminal records.
Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill Tuesday that will let ex-offenders who have stayed out of trouble for 10 years after a conviction for most second- or third-degree misdemeanors petition courts to have records of the old crime sealed.
The change would essentially remove the convictions from employers' background checks, school admissions or loan applications, with the intent of opening more doors to those trying to build better lives for themselves.
"Too many first-time and low-level offenders are serving their time and unable to improve their lives after leaving the system because they have a criminal record," Wolf said. "They are too likely then to return to the system.
Read more: www.pennlive.com/news/2016/02/gov_wolf_signs_bill_allowing_j.html