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New Jersey’s expungement process to be one of the most progressive in the nation

Restore voting rights to residents on probation or parole, allowing them to fully participate in our democracy

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said after signing the new expungement law on Dec 18, 2019, “I am proud to sign one of the most progressive expungement laws in the nation, which will allow more New Jerseyans the opportunity to fully engage in our society. I am also proud to enact legislation that will restore voting rights to over 80,000 residents on probation or parole, allowing them to fully participate in our democracy.”

Why this bill?

U.S. Senator Cory Booker has supported the bill. According to him, formerly incarcerated individuals continue to face overwhelming obstacles as they rejoin their communities. It’s often difficult to obtain jobs and housing and many have lost their right to vote. The bill will help restore fairness to the criminal justice system and remove some of the fundamental barriers to re-entry.

“The collateral consequences that come with a criminal conviction have been devastating communities of color, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and fracturing families for much too long. Whenever there is a conversation about the racial disparities among our state’s incarceration rates, we cannot forget that those convictions follow people for the rest of their lives,” said Senator Ruiz. “Expungement can begin to address the inequalities that exist in our criminal justice system. There is more work that needs to be done, but this legislation is a significant step in the right direction.”

Read more opinion on this bill at https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562019/approved/20191218a.shtml.

Automated clean slate for no offense in ten years

It creates a petition process for “clean slate” expungement for residents who have not committed an offense in ten years and who have not been convicted of the most serious crimes. The bill also requires the State to implement an automated clean slate expungement system.

Expungement for low-level marijuana convictions

Further, the bill requires that low-level marijuana convictions be sealed upon the disposition of a case, preventing those convictions from being used against those individuals in the future. It also makes numerous other changes to existing expungement procedures, including the creation of an e-filing system that would eliminate filing fees to petition for an expungement.

Restoration of voting rights to New Jersey residents on probation or parole

The bill restores voting rights to New Jersey residents on probation or parole.  The bill will take effect 90 days after signature.

Call Jersey City Criminal Défense Attorney Joel Silberman

If you or a loved one is being burdened with an arrest record or other unfavorable disposition you should reach out to Attorney Joel Silberman to discuss whether you can have your case expunged. Call us at call (201)-420-1913 or email at joel@joelsilbermanlaw.com today to schedule an appointment.

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