Bill > SB2197

This bill allows individuals who have received a pardon to petition a court to have certain violent offenses expunged, meaning removed from their criminal record. Previously, expungement was generally limited to non-violent crimes. The bill amends existing law to permit expungement of specific serious felonies, including first and second-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated child abuse, especially aggravated robbery, commission of an act of terrorism, and certain sexual offenses, if the person has been pardoned for them. When deciding whether to grant an expungement for these offenses, the court must consider the best interests of justice and public safety, specifically evaluating whether the offense was violent and any other relevant information provided by the person seeking the expungement and the district attorney general.