New York State Clean Slate Act Takes Effect this Saturday, November 16, 2024
The New York State Clean Slate Act (“Clean Slate Act”) takes effect Saturday, November 16, 2024. Littler previously summarized the requirements of the statute when it passed the state legislature and was signed by Governor Hochul last year. In short, to relieve the barriers to employment for persons with criminal convictions, the Clean Slate Act automatically seals misdemeanor and certain felony criminal records, as follows: Misdemeanors are sealed three years from the individual’s release from prison or from the imposition of sentence if there was no incarceration; and Felonies are sealed eight years after release from prison or from the imposition of sentence if there was no incarceration. The Clean Slate Act exempts certain categories of serious offenses, and does not seal the following convictions: Class A felonies (very serious felonies including murder, treason, arson, terrorism kidnapping—excluding certain Class A drug convictions); Sexually Violent Offenses...