Download Zipped Introduced WordPerfect HB0179.ZIP
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

H.B. 179

             1     

EXPUNGEMENT LAW AMENDMENTS

             2     
2007 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Lorie D. Fowlke

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Ed Mayne

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the Utah Code of Criminal Procedure regarding granting an
             10      expungement for any crime that has been pardoned by the Board of Pardons and Parole.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    provides that a person who has been granted a pardon by the Board of Pardons and
             14      Parole for a criminal offense may also petition for the expungement of the record of
             15      the pardoned offense; and
             16          .    that prior offenses that have been pardoned may not be considered regarding
             17      qualifying for an expungement request.
             18      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             19          None
             20      Other Special Clauses:
             21          None
             22      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             23      AMENDS:
             24          77-18-11, as last amended by Chapter 228, Laws of Utah 2004
             25          77-18-12, as last amended by Chapters 50, 189 and 269, Laws of Utah 2006
             26     
             27      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:


             28          Section 1. Section 77-18-11 is amended to read:
             29           77-18-11. Petition -- Expungement of conviction -- Certificate of eligibility -- Fee
             30      -- Notice -- Written evaluation -- Objections -- Hearing.
             31          (1) (a) A person convicted of a crime may petition the convicting court for an
             32      expungement of the record of conviction.
             33          (b) If a person has received a pardon granted by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole,
             34      the person is entitled to an expungement of all pardoned crimes, subject to the exceptions
             35      under Subsection 77-18-12 (1)(a).
             36          (2) (a) The court shall require receipt of a certificate of eligibility issued by the division
             37      under Section 77-18-12 .
             38          (b) The fee for each certificate of eligibility is $25. This fee remains in effect until
             39      changed by the division through the process under Section 63-38-3.2 .
             40          (c) Funds generated under Subsection (2)(b) shall be deposited in the General Fund as
             41      a dedicated credit by the department to cover the costs incurred in providing the information.
             42          (3) The petition and certificate of eligibility shall be filed with the court and served
             43      upon the prosecuting attorney and the Department of Corrections.
             44          (4) A victim shall receive notice of a petition for expungement if, prior to the entry of
             45      an expungement order, the victim or, in the case of a minor or a person who is incapacitated or
             46      deceased, the victim's next of kin or authorized representative, submits a written and signed
             47      request for notice to the office of the Department of Corrections in the judicial district in which
             48      the crime occurred or judgment was entered.
             49          (5) The Department of Corrections shall serve notice of the expungement request by
             50      first-class mail to the victim at the most recent address of record on file with the department.
             51      The notice shall include a copy of the petition, certificate of eligibility, and statutes and rules
             52      applicable to the petition.
             53          (6) The court in its discretion may request a written evaluation by Adult Parole and
             54      Probation of the Department of Corrections.
             55          (a) The evaluation shall include a recommendation concerning the petition for
             56      expungement.
             57          (b) If expungement is recommended, the evaluation shall include certification that the
             58      petitioner has completed all requirements of sentencing and probation or parole and state any


             59      rationale that would support or refute consideration for expungement.
             60          (c) The conclusions and recommendations contained in the evaluation shall be
             61      provided to the petitioner and the prosecuting attorney.
             62          (7) If the prosecuting attorney or a victim submits a written objection to the court
             63      concerning the petition within 30 days after service of the notice, or if the petitioner objects to
             64      the conclusions and recommendations in the evaluation within 15 days after receipt of the
             65      conclusions and recommendations, the court shall set a date for a hearing and notify the
             66      prosecuting attorney for the jurisdiction, the petitioner, and the victim of the date set for the
             67      hearing.
             68          (8) Any person who has relevant information about the petitioner may testify at the
             69      hearing.
             70          (9) The prosecuting attorney may respond to the court with a recommendation or
             71      objection within 30 days.
             72          (10) If an objection is not received under Subsection (7), the expungement may be
             73      granted without a hearing.
             74          (11) A court may not expunge a conviction of:
             75          (a) a capital felony;
             76          (b) a first degree felony;
             77          (c) a second degree forcible felony;
             78          (d) any sexual act against a minor; or
             79          (e) an offense for which a certificate of eligibility may not be issued under Section
             80      77-18-12 .
             81          Section 2. Section 77-18-12 is amended to read:
             82           77-18-12. Grounds for denial of certificate of eligibility -- Effect of prior
             83      convictions.
             84          (1) The division shall issue a certificate of eligibility to a petitioner seeking to obtain
             85      expungement for a criminal record unless prior to issuing a certificate of eligibility the division
             86      finds, through records of a governmental agency, including national criminal data bases that:
             87          (a) the conviction for which expungement is sought is:
             88          (i) a capital felony;
             89          (ii) a first degree felony;


             90          (iii) a second degree forcible felony;
             91          (iv) automobile homicide;
             92          (v) a felony violation of Section 41-6a-502 ;
             93          (vi) a conviction involving a sexual act against a minor;
             94          (vii) any registerable sex offense as defined in Subsection 77-27-21.5 (1)(f); or
             95          (viii) an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit any offense listed in Subsection
             96      77-27-21.5 (1)(f);
             97          (b) the petitioner's record includes two or more convictions for any type of offense
             98      which would be classified as a felony under Utah law, not arising out of a single criminal
             99      episode, regardless of the jurisdiction in which the convictions occurred, unless the petitioner
             100      has received a pardon from the Board of Pardons and Parole for either or both of the
             101      convictions;
             102          (c) the petitioner has previously obtained expungement in any jurisdiction of a crime
             103      which would be classified as a felony in Utah;
             104          (d) the petitioner has previously obtained expungement in any jurisdiction of two or
             105      more convictions which would be classified as misdemeanors in Utah unless the convictions
             106      would be classified as class B or class C misdemeanors in Utah and 15 years have passed since
             107      these misdemeanor convictions;
             108          (e) the petitioner was convicted in any jurisdiction, subsequent to the conviction for
             109      which expungement is sought and within the time periods as provided in Subsection (2), of a
             110      crime which would be classified in Utah as a felony, misdemeanor, or infraction;
             111          (f) the petitioner has a combination of three or more convictions not arising out of a
             112      single criminal episode including any conviction for an offense which would be classified
             113      under Utah law as a class B or class A misdemeanor or as a felony, including any misdemeanor
             114      and felony convictions previously expunged, regardless of the jurisdiction in which the
             115      conviction or expungement occurred, unless the petitioner has received a pardon from the
             116      Board of Pardons and Parole for one or more of the convictions;
             117          (g) a proceeding involving a crime is pending or being instituted in any jurisdiction
             118      against the petitioner; or
             119          (h) the petitioner has not paid the full amount of court ordered restitution pursuant to
             120      Section 77-38a-302 , or by the Board of Pardons pursuant to Section 77-27-6 on the conviction


             121      for which the person is seeking an expungement.
             122          (2) A conviction may not be included for purposes of Subsection (1)(e), and a
             123      conviction may not be considered for expungement until, after the petitioner's release from
             124      incarceration, parole, or probation, whichever occurs last and all fines ordered by the court
             125      have been satisfied, at least the following period of time has elapsed:
             126          (a) seven years in the case of a felony;
             127          (b) ten years in the case of:
             128          (i) a misdemeanor conviction or the equivalent of a misdemeanor conviction as defined
             129      in Subsection 41-6a-501 (2); or
             130          (ii) a felony violation of Subsection 58-37-8 (2)(g);
             131          (c) five years in the case of a class A misdemeanor;
             132          (d) three years in the case of any other misdemeanor or infraction under Title 76, Utah
             133      Criminal Code; or
             134          (e) 15 years in the case of multiple class B or class C misdemeanors.
             135          (3) A petitioner who would not be eligible to receive a certificate of eligibility under
             136      Subsection (1)(d) or (f) may receive a certificate of eligibility for one additional expungement
             137      if at least 15 years have elapsed since the last of any of the following:
             138          (a) release from incarceration, parole, or probation relating to the most recent
             139      conviction; and
             140          (b) any other conviction which would have prevented issuance of a certificate of
             141      eligibility under Subsection (1)(e).
             142          (4) If, after reasonable research, a disposition for an arrest on the criminal history file is
             143      unobtainable, the division may issue a special certificate giving discretion of eligibility to the
             144      court.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-8-07 3:08 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]