House Hearings Conducted on Clean Slate Bills

Gavel

On Monday, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a set of Clean Slate bills. HB 352, sponsored by Rep. Phil Christofanelli (R-St. Peters), and HB 753, sponsored by Rep. Justin Hicks (R-Lake St. Louis), would automate the expungement process for a number of non-violent criminal offenses, allowing those with a criminal record to have those past crimes not appear on occupational and housing background checks if that person goes a certain amount of time without reoffending. The crimes eligible for expungement would be limited to a maximum of three felonies and five misdemeanors, and no violent or other serious crimes would be eligible for expungement under the bills’ provisions. Additionally, under this bill, criminal courts would still have access to the prior offender’s criminal record even after expungement in order to allow stricter sentencing if the prior offender commits another crime in the future. During the hearing on Monday, Rep. Christofanelli described the bill as a measure that would encourage prior offenders to continue life with a clean record, as well as providing them with a path back to full citizenship after they demonstrate a willingness to put their criminal past behind them.

The MCC has testified in support of these proposals. The bill now awaits an executive session in which the Judiciary Committee will determine whether the bills pass.

March 31, 2023 - 2:24pm
Categories: 

Latest Posts

U.S. Bishops Call for "Radical Solidarity" for Mothers in Respect Life Month Statement

Since 1973, the Catholic Church in the United States has observed October as “Respect Life Month.” This year, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge,...Read more

USCCB Celebrates National Migration Week 2023

For over 40 years, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week (NMW), which has traditionally been linked...Read more

Missouri Respect Life Apostolate Celebrates 50th Anniversary

On Sunday, October 15, starting at 9 a.m., the Archdiocese of St. Louis will celebrate Respect Life Month with a 50th Anniversary...Read more

Subscribe to Blog
  •  
  • 1 of 437