New York expunges criminal records for millions of people: who benefits?

Since last November 16 in New York, United States, the Clean Slate Act, better known in Spanish as the Clean slate lawwhich has generated a whole debate among New York citizens.

What is the Cave Slate Law all about?

The Clean Slate Law was signed into law in 2023 by Governor Kathy Hochul and raises provide employment, educational and housing opportunities to those people with legal records who have already served their sentences.

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According to what the law states, millions of people convicted of minor crimes In past years, their opportunities for reintegration into society in New York have been affected simply by having a criminal record. Thanks to this measure, your criminal record is automatically sealed.

Although for some sectors of society it is dangerous to eliminate the criminal record of people who may be a danger to society, the truth is that Only certain records will be sealed and people must comply with some measures.

Who will benefit from the Clean Slate Law in New York?

It is estimated that there are more than two million people who will be able to access new opportunities after sealing their legal records in New York.

The Law establishes that automatic sealing will be carried out in misdemeanors in cases in which three years have passed since the sentence or release and in serious crimes a period of eight years.

Additionally, those who will have their records automatically sealed will be those who have completed probation, parole, or post-release supervision. It is important who have not reoffended or received a new sentence within the established time.

Outside of this measure are those people convicted of sexual crimes or serious crimes such as non-drug related murders. Federal crimes or convictions in states other than New York are also not taken into account.

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A racial and economic issue in New York

The Clean Slate Law aims to make a structural change in New York, a city in which, according to data from the promoters, 77% of convictions in the state correspond to minor crimessomething that affects people who have demonstrated their intention not to reoffend and have completed their sentence.

Mainly, those who benefit from this measure would be African-American, Latino or Hispanic people. For example, it is taken into account that 30% of citizens with criminal records in New York are African American and that 43% of people who have been in prison have as well.

Thanks to the sealing of their records, it is expected that these people will be able to reintegrate into daily life with better job opportunities, which will reduce criminal recidivism, something that impacts the state’s economy, since it is considered that they could generate up to 2.4 billion additional dollars in annual income.