H.B. 90 Enrolled

1

EXPUNGEMENT AMENDMENTS
2 2008 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: R. Curt Webb
5 Senate Sponsor: Gregory S. Bell
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure regarding the expungement time period
10 for multiple misdemeanor offenses.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . amends the provisions regarding time periods for expungement to specify that in the
14 case of:
15 . multiple class A misdemeanors, 15 years must elapse before the offenses may be
16 expunged;
17 . multiple class B misdemeanors, 12 years must elapse; and
18 . multiple class C misdemeanors, six years must elapse.
19 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
20 None
21 Other Special Clauses:
22 None
23 Utah Code Sections Affected:
24 AMENDS:
25 77-18-12, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapters 50, 189, and 269
26
27 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
28 Section 1. Section 77-18-12 is amended to read:
29 77-18-12. Grounds for denial of certificate of eligibility -- Effect of prior

30 convictions.
31 (1) The division shall issue a certificate of eligibility to a petitioner seeking to obtain
32 expungement for a criminal record unless prior to issuing a certificate of eligibility the division
33 finds, through records of a governmental agency, including national criminal data bases that:
34 (a) the conviction for which expungement is sought is:
35 (i) a capital felony;
36 (ii) a first degree felony;
37 (iii) a second degree forcible felony;
38 (iv) automobile homicide;
39 (v) a felony violation of Section 41-6a-502 ;
40 (vi) a conviction involving a sexual act against a minor;
41 (vii) any registerable sex offense as defined in Subsection 77-27-21.5 (1)(f); or
42 (viii) an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit any offense listed in Subsection
43 77-27-21.5 (1)(f);
44 (b) the petitioner's record includes two or more convictions for any type of offense
45 which would be classified as a felony under Utah law, not arising out of a single criminal
46 episode, regardless of the jurisdiction in which the convictions occurred;
47 (c) the petitioner has previously obtained expungement in any jurisdiction of a crime
48 which would be classified as a felony in Utah;
49 (d) the petitioner has previously obtained expungement in any jurisdiction of two or
50 more convictions which would be classified as misdemeanors in Utah unless the convictions
51 would be classified as class B or class C misdemeanors in Utah and 15 years have passed since
52 these misdemeanor convictions;
53 (e) the petitioner was convicted in any jurisdiction, subsequent to the conviction for
54 which expungement is sought and within the time periods as provided in Subsection (2), of a
55 crime which would be classified in Utah as a felony, misdemeanor, or infraction;
56 (f) the petitioner has a combination of three or more convictions not arising out of a
57 single criminal episode including any conviction for an offense which would be classified under

58 Utah law as a class B or class A misdemeanor or as a felony, including any misdemeanor and
59 felony convictions previously expunged, regardless of the jurisdiction in which the conviction or
60 expungement occurred;
61 (g) a proceeding involving a crime is pending or being instituted in any jurisdiction
62 against the petitioner; or
63 (h) the petitioner has not paid the full amount of court ordered restitution pursuant to
64 Section 77-38a-302 , or by the Board of Pardons pursuant to Section 77-27-6 on the conviction
65 for which the person is seeking an expungement.
66 (2) A conviction may not be included for purposes of Subsection (1)(e), and a
67 conviction may not be considered for expungement until, after the petitioner's release from
68 incarceration, parole, or probation, whichever occurs last and all fines ordered by the court have
69 been satisfied, at least the following period of time has elapsed:
70 (a) seven years in the case of a felony;
71 (b) ten years in the case of:
72 (i) a misdemeanor conviction or the equivalent of a misdemeanor conviction as defined
73 in Subsection 41-6a-501 (2); or
74 (ii) a felony violation of Subsection 58-37-8 (2)(g);
75 (c) five years in the case of a class A misdemeanor;
76 (d) three years in the case of any other misdemeanor or infraction under Title 76, Utah
77 Criminal Code; [or]
78 (e) six years in the case of multiple class C misdemeanors;
79 [(e) 15] (f) 12 years in the case of multiple class B [or class C] misdemeanors[.]; or
80 (g) 15 years in the case of multiple class A misdemeanors.
81 (3) A petitioner who would not be eligible to receive a certificate of eligibility under
82 Subsection (1)(d) or (f) may receive a certificate of eligibility for one additional expungement if
83 at least 15 years have elapsed since the last of any of the following:
84 (a) release from incarceration, parole, or probation relating to the most recent
85 conviction; and

86 (b) any other conviction which would have prevented issuance of a certificate of
87 eligibility under Subsection (1)(e).
88 (4) If, after reasonable research, a disposition for an arrest on the criminal history file is
89 unobtainable, the division may issue a special certificate giving discretion of eligibility to the
90 court.