Panel Passes Sealing Bill

DENVER - People paying for a mistake they made decades ago might soon get a hand from the Legislature. House Bill 1082, introduced by Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, will allow people convicted of certain types of misdemeanors to have their criminal records sealed. The bill also applies to people convicted of felonies for possession of small amounts of drugs. Ferrandino’s bill passed the House Judiciary Committee by a 6-5 vote Tuesday. It now moves to the Appropriations Committee. Only ex-convicts who have completed their sentences and kept clean records for 10 years would be eligible. Certain convictions, including sex offenses, child abuse, stalking, identity theft and drunken driving, cannot be sealed. Ferrandino says he thinks up to 1,200 people a year might apply. A judge would have to approve their requests, and district attorneys can ask the judge to reject them. Currently, only people convicted as juveniles can have their records sealed. Adults who were not charged with a crime, or who have had charges dropped because of a plea bargain, can request to have records sealed after 15 years.
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