New York will expunge the criminal records of millions of people thanks to new legislation

from Saturday November 16it came into effect New York the Clean Slate Act (The law of A clean slate), a law that automatically seals some criminal recordallowing more than 2 million people qualified people gain access to new opportunities labor, education and of residence. The measure aims to reduce the barriers faced by those who have completed their sentences, while preserving access to sealed records to legal studies and jobs in sensitive sectors.

The Clean Slate Lawimplemented by the governor Kathy Hochul in 2023its main purpose is to reduce the barriers faced by those with criminal records, allowing them to reintegrate into society. According to the promoters, the law responds to a structural need, because the 77% conviction in the state they are in petty crimesmostly affecting people who have never done a serious crime.

Although it is seal automatic under certain conditions, the records it will still be accessible to the Police, legal processes y employers in sensitive areas, such as education and the attention vulnerable population. The law establishes clear deadlines for sealing records: three years after conviction for petty crimes and eight years in a case serious crimeswhile you are not inside confirmationlow confirmation or against additional charges. However, there are serious crimes like suicide and the sexual crimes are not eligible for this benefit.

according to New York ABC Newsgo courts y responsible organizations they have to 2027 to complete the process of sealing the files, although the benefit is already effective for those who meet the requirements.

The law excludes serious crimes such as suicide and sex crimes from sealing records. (REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)

Defenders of Clean Slate Act note the benefits economic y social that means. According to analysis of Governor of New York Citythis measure could be a benefit between 500,000 y 2 million peoplemost coming from communities African American, Latin e Hispanic. This group could up to 2.4 billion dollars additional annual income, adding more than 7 billion dollars to grow the the economy of the state.

In addition, reducing barriers to employment can reduce the criminal recidivismas those who find job stability are less likely to return to work. penal systemaccording to CBS News.

Despite the aforementioned benefits, the Clean Slate Law has faced criticism. Hitters, like the collector Michael Tannousisthey argue that the automatic sealing it does not differentiate between people who are committed to them revival and those who showed no intention of changing. Likewise, some fear that the law will affect them public safety by restricting access to criminal record for some employers.

Other critics question loss legal permission in implementing this measure, while community groups believe that these fears are exaggerated compared to the positive effect that the law could have in reducing inequality.

Analysts estimate that the law will add $2.4 billion to the state’s economy each year. (REUTERS / Andrew Kelly)

Light racial differences in the criminal justice system New York They are obvious. From 1980 until 2021he 42% conviction registered in the state corresponds to people African Americanalthough they only represent the 15% of the population. In contrast, conviction rates for New Yorkers white much less.

This data illustrates how criminal record permanent cycles of povertydisproportionately affects historically marginalized communities. In addition, people with convictions go against it 12.6 billion dollars in lost income each year due to job exclusion.

The law has received support from prominent people and large corporations such as Microsoft, Verizon y JPMorgan Chaseapart from unions which represents more than 2 million workers. These groups value the Clean Slate Law as the opportunity of the group of qualified candidatesespecially in sectors where there is a high demand for employment.

Implementation of the law includes coordination legal entities and state, with the challenge of sealing millions of records between now and 2027. Although the process is automatic, they are organized legal clinicslike the one led by a state senator Cordell Cleareto advise citizens of their rights under the new rules.