California legislators are looking to introduce AB1076, a new law that would automatically expunge or clear past criminal background records that were misdemeanors or certain non-violent felonies. The purpose behind this new law is to help ex-offenders have an easier time finding employment, getting higher education and finding a decent place to live. Under such law it should make it easier for these types of individuals to be reintroduced to society and minimize the possibility of recidivism.

This potential new law out of California if passed would automatically expunge or clear past criminal misdemeanor or low felony convictions as a means of easing entrance back into society.

Eliminating certain non-violent convictions will remove a criminal history and could allow for easier access to employment, education, and renting for formerly incarcerated individuals.

AB1076 would allow for the automatic expungement of many misdemeanors and certain non-violent felonies and, subsequently, ease reintroduction to society for those with this type of conviction.

From the San Francisco Chronicle website (Mar 07, 19):

People arrested or convicted of crimes in California could have their criminal records automatically cleared under a proposed law announced Thursday by San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón and Assemblyman Phil Ting.

AB1076 would wipe out eligible convictions for people who have completed local sentences and eliminate many arrest records that have not resulted in convictions. Offenders already are eligible to petition the courts for the relief, but less then {sic} 20 percent take advantage of the program… ^{sfchronicle.com/crime/article/San-Francisco-s-Gasc-n-Ting-propose-13671420.php}

A criminal history remains a significant challenge that prohibits or greatly impedes reintegration to society. Across the country a movement called “Ban-the-Box pushes to legislate the question of criminal history off applications. The action in California looks to be the next evolution in criminal justice reform within the USA. If the law passes it will allow individuals with certain kinds of criminal background records to clear their history which according to this new bill will make it so the individual’s criminal past never occurred at all.

To read more about this subject see the recent press release: Potential California Law May Affect Use of Criminal History Information