Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation, which amends the criminal procedure law to clarify that individuals convicted of petty offenses will have their records sealed by default. Sealed records will not be available to any person, or public or private agency, unless a judge determines otherwise.
Specifically, this new law clarifies that that the sealing applies to the conviction charges as reflected in the final disposition of the case, not the original charge — with the exception of the violations of loitering or operating a motor vehicle while impaired. The legislation will take effect in 90 days.
By Michael Baldwin
