**********Action Alert !! Legislative Update!!!

Legislative Update January 19, 2007

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
BILL INTRODUCED TO ALLOW FOR SEALING OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

In Colorado, state law currently does not allow an adult to seal a criminal record.
This ensures that people convicted of a crime, no matter how long ago and no matter
how successful they are in life, will forever be stigmatized and possibly discriminated
against in housing and employment due to their criminal record.

Representative Mike Cerbo (D-Denver) introduced HB 07-1107 on January 15th that
would allow people to petition the court to seal a criminal record after 10 years following
the completion of a sentence or release from supervision.

Convictions for some crimes would not be able to be sealed including:

Class 1 or 2 misdemeanor traffic offenses or class A or B traffic infractions,
DUI/DWAI, sexual offenses, domestic violence, offense involving a pregnant women
or convictions for crimes involve aggravating circumstances, high risk, or special offender
sentencing enhancements. If passed, this law would apply to convictions entered on or after July 1, 2007 as a matter of right and would apply to convictions entered on or after July 1, 1988
but before July 1, 2007 with consent of the prosecuting attorney.

WHAT YOU CAN DO!
The Colorado Criminal Defense Bar (CCDB) is looking for people
who would like to testify in support of this bill when it comes before
the House Judiciary Committee (date to be determined.)
So, if you or someone you know

" was convicted ten years ago (or more)
" has not been arrested or convicted of another crime since that conviction
" was convicted for a crime that is eligible to be sealed, including drug offenses,
other nonviolent offenses (ie: NOT convicted of any of the crimes that are not allowed to be sealed - Class 1 or 2 misdemeanor traffic offenses or class A or B traffic infractions, DUI/DWAI, sexual offenses, domestic violence, offense involving a pregnant women or convictions for crimes involve aggravating circumstances, high risk, or special offender sentencing enhancements.)
" and have faced some hardship as a result of this criminal conviction (ie: difficulties in finding employment or housing or other challenges due to the criminal record)

If you have questions or are interested in testifying, please contact Guss Guarino at the
Colorado Criminal Defense Bar gussguarino@ccdb.org or call at (303) 758-2454.
We need your help to move this legislation forward. If passed this legislation could be significant in the lives of so many.
To read the bill in its entirety go to
http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics/Clics2007A/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/47C2AA09A5B311CB87257251007C484A?Open&file=1107_01.pdf

Pamela Clifton
Outreach Coordinator
CCJRC
1212 Mariposa St. #4
Denver, CO 80204
pam@ccjrc.org
work (303) 825-0122