Bill > HB2452

This bill allows courts in Tennessee to expunge (remove from a person's record) certain violent offenses for which an individual has received a pardon, which is an official forgiveness of a crime. 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 petitions the court and the judge finds the conviction was not for one of these listed offenses or an attempt to commit them. When deciding whether to grant an expungement for these offenses, the court must consider the best interests of justice and public safety, specifically whether the offense was violent, and any other relevant information provided by the person seeking the expungement and the district attorney general.