Bill
Bill > S3069
NJ S3069
NJ S3069Expands expungement eligibility; eliminates cap on number of convictions person may expunge; eliminates limitation on number of times person may be granted expungement.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would expand, in several ways, expungement eligibility to allow more persons to petition the Superior Court for expungement relief: - It would eliminate the cap on the number of convictions for crimes, disorderly persons offenses, and petty disorderly persons offenses that a person could expunge; - It would eliminate the limitation on the number of times a person could be granted expungement relief based on convictions for crimes, disorderly persons offenses, and petty disorderly persons offenses; - It would allow for convictions of first degree and second degree crimes for the sale or distribution of any form of controlled dangerous substance to be expunged, if the court found that the expungement "is consistent with the public interest" (such expungements are only currently permitted for convictions of either the third degree or fourth degree crime); - It would allow a so-called "young drug offender" (a person who is 21 years of age or younger at the time of committing the offense), who is eligible for expedited expungement relief under current law (see N.J.S.2C:52-5), to be granted such expedited relief even if that offender had violated a condition of probation or parole, has on record a conviction for another crime or violation of the State's drug laws, or had a previous criminal matter dismissed because of acceptance into a supervisory treatment or other diversion program; and It would repeal N.J.S.2C:52-32, which expresses the current State policy favoring limitations on the availability of expungement relief based on the number of convictions a person has or the number of times expungement relief was previously sought.
AI Summary
This bill expands eligibility for expungement, which is the legal process of clearing criminal records, by removing limits on the number of convictions a person can expunge and the number of times they can receive expungement relief. It allows for the expungement of first and second-degree crimes related to the sale or distribution of controlled dangerous substances, provided the court deems it in the public interest, a change from the current restriction to third and fourth-degree crimes. Additionally, "young drug offenders," defined as individuals 21 or younger at the time of their offense, can now receive expedited expungement even if they have violated probation or parole, have other convictions, or were previously in a diversion program. The bill also repeals a section of existing law that favored limitations on expungement based on the number of prior convictions or expungement requests.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S3069 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3500/3069_I1.HTM |
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