No matter its severity, a criminal record creates barriers to employment and housing. While many individuals are eligible to clear their record, a large population fails to successfully do so.
- Public safety is a core responsibility of government, and it is critical that criminal record relief laws be reasonably restrictive to balance community safety with both redemption and renewed opportunity.
- Research has shown that among eligible individuals, those who successfully obtain expungement have low recidivism rates and earn an average of over 22% more wages within one year.
- Automating the record clearing process would eliminate all forms and fees, both lightening the courts’ workload and removing barriers to relief.