Friday, September 8, 2017

Breaking Down New York's New Criminal Record Sealing Law



Law can be quite complicated sometimes even for lawyers. That is why doctors, lawyers, and the large majority of professions are specializing and focusing their practice areas. It is my hope to break down and simplify New York's new sealing CPL 160.59 law into manageable chunks.

So how do you eat an elephant? One little bite at a time.

The Whole of New York CPL 160.59 Sealing of Criminal Convictions is in Senate Bill S 8113


All my notations will be in RED for ease of reading and understanding. You can very well just read the red parts, and be well versed in the new sealing law.

PART A

12    Section 1. The criminal procedure law  is  amended  by  adding  a  new
13  section 160.59 to read as follows:

14  S 160.59 SEALING OF CERTAIN CONVICTIONS.

The first part of the law deals with ELIGIBILITY. 
Which misdemeanors and felonies are eligible for sealing?

This really is a very broad sealing law. The law merely states what can't be sealed which means that everything else canbe sealed. Serious crimes, violent crimes, and sexual crimes generally can NOT be sealed. Check out our last few blog posts on which specific violent crimes cannot be sealed. 


15    1.  DEFINITIONS:  AS  USED  IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL
16  HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS;
17    (A) "ELIGIBLE OFFENSE" SHALL MEAN ANY CRIME DEFINED  IN  THE  LAWS  OF
18  THIS STATE OTHER THAN A SEX OFFENSE DEFINED IN ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED THIR-
19  TY  OF  THE  PENAL  LAW,  AN  OFFENSE  DEFINED  IN  ARTICLE  TWO HUNDRED
20  SIXTY-THREE OF THE PENAL LAW, A FELONY OFFENSE DEFINED  IN  ARTICLE  ONE
21  HUNDRED  TWENTY-FIVE  OF THE PENAL LAW, A VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSE DEFINED
22  IN SECTION 70.02 OF THE PENAL LAW, A CLASS A FELONY OFFENSE  DEFINED  IN
     EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                          [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                               LBD15862-02-6
Section 1. This act enacts into law major components  of  legislation.
S. 8113 2
 1  THE  PENAL  LAW, A FELONY OFFENSE DEFINED IN ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED FIVE OF
 2  THE PENAL LAW WHERE THE UNDERLYING OFFENSE IS NOT AN  ELIGIBLE  OFFENSE,
 3  AN  ATTEMPT  TO COMMIT AN OFFENSE THAT IS NOT AN ELIGIBLE OFFENSE IF THE
 4  ATTEMPT  IS  A  FELONY,  OR  AN  OFFENSE FOR WHICH REGISTRATION AS A SEX
 5  OFFENDER IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SIX-C OF THE CORRECTION LAW.

 6    (B) "SENTENCING JUDGE" SHALL MEAN THE JUDGE  WHO  PRONOUNCED  SENTENCE
 7  UPON  THE  CONVICTION UNDER CONSIDERATION, OR IF THAT JUDGE IS NO LONGER
 8  SITTING IN A COURT IN THE  JURISDICTION  IN  WHICH  THE  CONVICTION  WAS
 9  OBTAINED, ANY OTHER JUDGE WHO IS SITTING IN THE CRIMINAL COURT WHERE THE
10  JUDGMENT OF CONVICTION WAS ENTERED.

Which Judge? Which Court?

The court where you apply or motion or petition for sealing is with the judge and the court which sentenced you. If that judge is no longer there then it is with the judge who is presiding over that same court in that same county.



11    2.  (A)  A  DEFENDANT  WHO  HAS  BEEN  CONVICTED OF UP TO TWO ELIGIBLE
12  OFFENSES BUT NOT MORE THAN ONE FELONY OFFENSE MAY APPLY TO THE COURT  IN
13  WHICH  HE  OR SHE WAS CONVICTED OF THE MOST SERIOUS OFFENSE TO HAVE SUCH
14  CONVICTION SEALED. IF ALL OFFENSES ARE OFFENSES WITH  THE  SAME  CLASSI-
15  FICATION,  THE  APPLICATION  SHALL  BE  MADE  TO  THE COURT IN WHICH THE
16  DEFENDANT WAS LAST CONVICTED.

You can apply to seal up to TWO offenses. Only one of which can be a felony level offense. If they are in two different courts, then with the court of the more serious offense, if they are matched then with the last court you were sentenced.


17    (B) AN APPLICATION SHALL CONTAIN: (I)  A  COPY  OF  A  CERTIFICATE  OF
18  DISPOSITION OR OTHER SIMILAR DOCUMENTATION FOR ANY OFFENSE FOR WHICH THE
19  DEFENDANT  HAS BEEN CONVICTED, OR AN EXPLANATION OF WHY SUCH CERTIFICATE
20  OR OTHER DOCUMENTATION IS NOT AVAILABLE; (II) A SWORN STATEMENT  OF  THE
21  DEFENDANT  AS  TO  WHETHER HE OR SHE HAS FILED, OR THEN INTENDS TO FILE,
22  ANY APPLICATION FOR SEALING OF ANY OTHER ELIGIBLE OFFENSE; (III) A  COPY
23  OF  ANY  OTHER SUCH APPLICATION THAT HAS BEEN FILED; (IV) A SWORN STATE-
24  MENT AS TO THE CONVICTION OR  CONVICTIONS  FOR  WHICH  RELIEF  IS  BEING
25  SOUGHT; AND (V) A SWORN STATEMENT OF THE REASON OR REASONS WHY THE COURT
26  SHOULD, IN ITS DISCRETION, GRANT SUCH SEALING, ALONG WITH ANY SUPPORTING
27  DOCUMENTATION.
28    (C)  A  COPY  OF ANY APPLICATION FOR SUCH SEALING SHALL BE SERVED UPON
29  THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE CONVICTION, OR, IF MORE
30  THAN ONE, THE CONVICTIONS, WAS OR WERE OBTAINED. THE  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY
31  SHALL  NOTIFY  THE  COURT WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS IF HE OR SHE OBJECTS TO
32  THE APPLICATION FOR SEALING.

Your sealing application must have: 

1. certificates of disposition. A certificate of disposition is issued by the sentencing court to certify what offenses you were actually sentenced to, the sentence, and when you were sentenced. You must get one for each offense you would like to seal.

2. Your Sworn statements. Which offenses you wish to seal and why you deserve to have them sealed. Reason or reasons why?

3. Supporting documentation. For the reason or reasons why you deserve sealing.

4. Proof of service to District Attorney or District Attorneys offices located in the counties of the criminal convictions you want to seal.
They have 45 days to object to your application, and notify the court. 


33    (D) WHEN SUCH APPLICATION  IS  FILED  WITH  THE  COURT,  IT  SHALL  BE
34  ASSIGNED  TO  THE  SENTENCING  JUDGE UNLESS MORE THAN ONE APPLICATION IS
35  FILED IN WHICH CASE THE APPLICATION SHALL  BE  ASSIGNED  TO  THE  COUNTY
36  COURT  OR THE SUPREME COURT OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE CRIMINAL COURT IS
37  LOCATED, WHO SHALL REQUEST AND RECEIVE FROM  THE  DIVISION  OF  CRIMINAL
38  JUSTICE  SERVICES  A  FINGERPRINT  BASED  CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD OF THE
39  DEFENDANT, INCLUDING ANY SEALED OR SUPPRESSED RECORDS. THE  DIVISION  OF
40  CRIMINAL  JUSTICE SERVICES ALSO SHALL INCLUDE A CRIMINAL HISTORY REPORT,
41  IF ANY, FROM THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION REGARDING ANY  CRIMINAL
42  HISTORY  INFORMATION THAT OCCURRED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.  THE DIVISION
43  IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE SUCH INFORMATION FROM THE FEDERAL BUREAU
44  OF INVESTIGATION FOR THIS PURPOSE, AND TO MAKE SUCH  INFORMATION  AVAIL-
45  ABLE  TO  THE  COURT,  WHICH  MAY MAKE THIS INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE
46  DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE DEFENDANT.

A judge is assigned to your request to seal. This judge must request and review your ENTIRE criminal history. This will include all other states than New York.

The judge may or may not make this information available to you or to the District Attorney.


47    3. THE SENTENCING JUDGE, OR COUNTY OR SUPREME  COURT  SHALL  SUMMARILY
48  DENY THE DEFENDANT'S APPLICATION WHEN:
49    (A)  THE  DEFENDANT IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER PURSUANT
50  TO ARTICLE SIX-C OF THE CORRECTION LAW; OR
51    (B) THE DEFENDANT HAS  PREVIOUSLY  OBTAINED  SEALING  OF  THE  MAXIMUM
52  NUMBER  OF  CONVICTIONS  ALLOWABLE  UNDER SECTION 160.58 OF THE CRIMINAL
53  PROCEDURE LAW; OR
54    (C) THE DEFENDANT HAS  PREVIOUSLY  OBTAINED  SEALING  OF  THE  MAXIMUM
55  NUMBER  OF CONVICTIONS ALLOWABLE UNDER SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION;
56  OR
S. 8113 3
 1    (D) THE TIME PERIOD SPECIFIED IN SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION  HAS
 2  NOT YET BEEN SATISFIED; OR
  1.  3     (E) THE DEFENDANT HAS AN UNDISPOSED ARREST OR CHARGE PENDING; OR
    
  2.  4     (F)  THE  DEFENDANT  WAS  CONVICTED OF ANY CRIME AFTER THE DATE OF THE
    
 5  IMPOSITION OF THE SENTENCE ON  THE  DEFENDANT'S  LATEST  CONVICTION  FOR
 6  WHICH SEALING IS SOUGHT; OR
 7    (G)  THE  DEFENDANT  HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE THE COURT WITH THE REQUIRED
 8  SWORN STATEMENT OF THE REASONS WHY THE COURT  SHOULD  GRANT  THE  RELIEF
 9  REQUESTED; OR
10    (H)  THE  DEFENDANT HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF TWO OR MORE FELONIES OR MORE
11  THAN TWO CRIMES.

The judge can summarily (big word for  outright) DENY your sealing application for a number of reasons:


1. You are required to register as a sex offender;


2. You have already had two previous criminal conviction sealed;

3. You have not waited the ten year time period or the ten years plus the time in custody;

4. You have an undisposed arrest or charge pending;

5. You were convicted of any crime after the criminal conviction you wish to seal;

6. Your application is missing a sworn statement of the reasons why you deserve sealing;

7. You have more than two criminal convictions for felonies or more than two criminal convictions for misdemeanors.


12    4. PROVIDED THAT THE APPLICATION  IS  NOT  SUMMARILY  DENIED  FOR  THE
13  REASONS  SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION, A DEFENDANT WHO
14  STANDS CONVICTED OF UP TO TWO ELIGIBLE OFFENSES, MAY OBTAIN  SEALING  OF
15  NO MORE THAN TWO ELIGIBLE OFFENSES BUT NOT MORE THAN ONE FELONY OFFENSE.

You can seal two misdemeanors or one felony and one misdemeanor.

 
16    5.  ANY  ELIGIBLE  OFFENSE MAY BE SEALED ONLY AFTER AT LEAST TEN YEARS
17  HAVE PASSED SINCE THE IMPOSITION OF  THE  SENTENCE  ON  THE  DEFENDANT'S
18  LATEST  CONVICTION,  OR,  IF  THE DEFENDANT WAS SENTENCED TO A PERIOD OF
19  INCARCERATION, INCLUDING A PERIOD OF INCARCERATION IMPOSED  IN  CONJUNC-
20  TION  WITH  A SENTENCE OF PROBATION, THE DEFENDANT'S LATEST RELEASE FROM
21  INCARCERATION. IN CALCULATING THE TEN YEAR PERIOD  UNDER  THIS  SUBDIVI-
22  SION,  ANY  PERIOD  OF  TIME  THE DEFENDANT SPENT INCARCERATED AFTER THE
23  CONVICTION FOR WHICH THE APPLICATION FOR SEALING  IS  SOUGHT,  SHALL  BE
24  EXCLUDED AND SUCH TEN YEAR PERIOD SHALL BE EXTENDED BY A PERIOD OR PERI-
25  ODS EQUAL TO THE TIME SERVED UNDER SUCH INCARCERATION.

You can seal the criminal convictions after ten years have passed from the date of sentencing. But if there was any incarceration (jail or prison) then this time must me added to the ten year time period. It is the time in "custody" which is added for this calculation.


26    6.  UPON  DETERMINING THAT THE APPLICATION IS NOT SUBJECT TO MANDATORY
27  DENIAL PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION AND THAT THE APPLI-
28  CATION IS OPPOSED BY THE DISTRICT  ATTORNEY,  THE  SENTENCING  JUDGE  OR
29  COUNTY  OR  SUPREME  COURT SHALL CONDUCT A HEARING ON THE APPLICATION IN
30  ORDER TO CONSIDER ANY EVIDENCE OFFERED BY EITHER PARTY  THAT  WOULD  AID
31  THE  SENTENCING JUDGE IN HIS OR HER DECISION WHETHER TO SEAL THE RECORDS
32  OF THE DEFENDANT'S CONVICTIONS. 

A physical Court hearing in front of the judge is required if the District Attorney opposes (objects) to your sealing application. 

Both sides, your attorney and the DA can present evidence at that hearing to aid the judge in making a decision to seal or not to seal your criminal conviction record.



NO HEARING IS REQUIRED IF  THE  DISTRICT
33  ATTORNEY  DOES  NOT OPPOSE THE APPLICATION, HOWEVER THE COURT MAY HOLD A
34  HEARING AT ITS DISCRETION.

NO hearing is required if the District Attorney does NOT object to your application. 

However the judge may still require a hearing in order to make a decision on whether to seal your criminal conviction record.



35    7. IN CONSIDERING ANY SUCH APPLICATION, THE SENTENCING JUDGE OR COUNTY
36  OR SUPREME COURT SHALL CONSIDER ANY RELEVANT FACTORS, INCLUDING BUT  NOT
37  LIMITED TO:
38    (A)  THE  AMOUNT  OF  TIME THAT HAS ELAPSED SINCE THE DEFENDANT'S LAST
39  CONVICTION;
40    (B) THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND SERIOUSNESS OF THE  OFFENSE  FOR  WHICH  THE
41  DEFENDANT IS SEEKING RELIEF, INCLUDING WHETHER THE ARREST CHARGE WAS NOT
42  AN ELIGIBLE OFFENSE;
43    (C)  THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND SERIOUSNESS OF ANY OTHER OFFENSES FOR WHICH
44  THE DEFENDANT STANDS CONVICTED;
45    (D) THE CHARACTER OF THE DEFENDANT, INCLUDING ANY  MEASURES  THAT  THE
46  DEFENDANT  HAS  TAKEN  TOWARD  REHABILITATION,  SUCH AS PARTICIPATING IN
47  TREATMENT PROGRAMS, WORK, OR SCHOOLING, AND PARTICIPATING  IN  COMMUNITY
48  SERVICE OR OTHER VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS;
49    (E)  ANY  STATEMENTS  MADE  BY THE VICTIM OF THE OFFENSE FOR WHICH THE
50  DEFENDANT IS SEEKING RELIEF;
51    (F) THE IMPACT OF SEALING THE DEFENDANT'S RECORD UPON HIS OR HER REHA-
52  BILITATION AND UPON HIS OR HER SUCCESSFUL  AND  PRODUCTIVE  REENTRY  AND
53  REINTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY; AND
54    (G)  THE IMPACT OF SEALING THE DEFENDANT'S RECORD ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND
55  UPON THE PUBLIC'S CONFIDENCE IN AND RESPECT FOR THE LAW.

The judge shall look at any relevant factors to make a decision on whether or not to seal your criminal convictions. These include but are not limited to the following:


1. Time that has passed since these convictions;

2. Circumstances and seriousness of these offenses;

3. Circumstances and seriousness of any other offense;

4. Your character;

5. Any rehabilitation, treatment programs, educational programs, community service, and volunteering;

6. Any victim statements;

7. Impact of sealing upon your rehabilitation and treatment;

8. Impact of sealing upon your life and future;

9. Public's confidence in the law and respect for the law;

10. Public safety.

Will the public be effected negatively by this sealing of the defendant's criminal conviction record?




S. 8113 4
 1    8. WHEN A SENTENCING JUDGE OR COUNTY OR SUPREME COURT  ORDERS  SEALING
 2  PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SECTION, ALL OFFICIAL RECORDS AND PAPERS RELATING TO
 3  THE ARRESTS, PROSECUTIONS, AND CONVICTIONS, INCLUDING ALL DUPLICATES AND
 4  COPIES THEREOF, ON FILE WITH THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL  JUSTICE  SERVICES
 5  OR  ANY  COURT  SHALL  BE SEALED AND NOT MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY PERSON OR
 6  PUBLIC OR PRIVATE AGENCY EXCEPT AS PROVIDED FOR IN SUBDIVISION  NINE  OF
 7  THIS  SECTION;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THE DIVISION SHALL RETAIN ANY FINGER-
 8  PRINTS, PALMPRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS, OR DIGITAL IMAGES OF THE  SAME.  THE
 9  CLERK  OF  SUCH  COURT  SHALL IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE
10  DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES REGARDING THE RECORDS  THAT  SHALL
11  BE  SEALED  PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SECTION. THE CLERK ALSO SHALL NOTIFY ANY
12  COURT IN WHICH THE DEFENDANT HAS STATED, PURSUANT TO  PARAGRAPH  (B)  OF
13  SUBDIVISION  TWO OF THIS SECTION, THAT HE OR SHE HAS FILED OR INTENDS TO
14  FILE AN APPLICATION FOR SEALING OF ANY OTHER ELIGIBLE OFFENSE.

The judge shall order sealing then ALL official records, papers, and documents relating to the arrest, prosecution, and conviction shall be made unavailable to any person, or public or private agency.

They do retain digital images of everything including fingerprints, palm prints, and photographs.

  1. 15     9. RECORDS SEALED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO:
    
  2. 16     (A) THE DEFENDANT OR THE DEFENDANT'S DESIGNATED AGENT; OR
    
  3. 17     (B) QUALIFIED AGENCIES, AS DEFINED  IN  SUBDIVISION  NINE  OF  SECTION
    
18  EIGHT  HUNDRED  THIRTY-FIVE  OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW, AND FEDERAL AND STATE
19  LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, WHEN ACTING WITHIN  THE  SCOPE  OF  THEIR  LAW
20  ENFORCEMENT DUTIES; OR
21    (C)  ANY  STATE OR LOCAL OFFICER OR AGENCY WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE
22  ISSUANCE OF LICENSES TO POSSESS GUNS, WHEN THE PERSON HAS MADE  APPLICA-
23  TION FOR SUCH A LICENSE; OR
24    (D)  ANY  PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER OF A POLICE OFFICER OR PEACE OFFICER AS
25  THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED IN SUBDIVISIONS THIRTY-THREE AND THIRTY-FOUR  OF
26  SECTION  1.20 OF THIS CHAPTER, IN RELATION TO AN APPLICATION FOR EMPLOY-
27  MENT AS A POLICE OFFICER OR PEACE OFFICER; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT EVERY
28  PERSON WHO IS AN APPLICANT FOR THE POSITION OF POLICE OFFICER  OR  PEACE
29  OFFICER  SHALL  BE  FURNISHED  WITH A COPY OF ALL RECORDS OBTAINED UNDER
30  THIS PARAGRAPH AND AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN EXPLANATION THERE-
31  TO; OR
32    (E) THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SERVICES DIVISION OF THE  FEDERAL
33  BUREAU  OF  INVESTIGATION,  FOR THE PURPOSES OF RESPONDING TO QUERIES TO
34  THE NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM REGARDING ATTEMPTS
35  TO PURCHASE OR OTHERWISE TAKE POSSESSION OF FIREARMS, AS DEFINED  IN  18
36  USC 921(A)(3).
37    10.  A CONVICTION WHICH IS SEALED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION IS INCLUDED
38  WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF A CONVICTION FOR THE PURPOSES OF  ANY  CRIMINAL
39  PROCEEDING  IN  WHICH  THE  FACT  OF  A PRIOR CONVICTION WOULD ENHANCE A
40  PENALTY OR IS AN ELEMENT OF THE OFFENSE CHARGED.

Who can access these sealed records, and when can they access your sealed records:


1. Law Enforcement Officers when enforcing the law;

2. When you apply for a gun permit or firearms license;

3. When you apply for a law enforcement job;

4. A District Attorney when seeking to enhance a penalty or a criminal charge.



41    11. NO DEFENDANT SHALL BE REQUIRED OR PERMITTED TO  WAIVE  ELIGIBILITY
42  FOR  SEALING  PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SECTION  AS  PART OF A PLEA OF GUILTY,
43  SENTENCE OR ANY AGREEMENT  RELATED  TO  A  CONVICTION  FOR  AN  ELIGIBLE
44  OFFENSE AND ANY SUCH WAIVER SHALL BE DEEMED VOID AND WHOLLY ENFORCEABLE.

One of my favorite sections of the new law. You can NOT waive (give up) your right to seal your criminal conviction record. Many things can be given up as part of a plea bargain, including the right to appeal, this one can not be by law.


45    S 2. Subdivision 16 of section 296 of the executive law, as separately
46  amended  by section 3 of part N and section 14 of part AAA by chapter 56
47  of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
48    16. It shall be an unlawful discriminatory  practice,  unless  specif-
49  ically required or permitted by statute, for any person, agency, bureau,
50  corporation or association, including the state and any political subdi-
51  vision thereof, to make any inquiry about, whether in any form of appli-
52  cation  or  otherwise,  or  to  act  upon  adversely  to  the individual
53  involved, any arrest or criminal accusation of such individual not  then
54  pending  against  that individual which was followed by a termination of
55  that criminal action or proceeding  in  favor  of  such  individual,  as
56  defined  in  subdivision two of section 160.50 of the criminal procedure
S. 8113 5
 1  law, or by a youthful offender adjudication, as defined  in  subdivision
 2  one  of section 720.35 of the criminal procedure law, or by a conviction
 3  for a violation sealed pursuant to section 160.55 of the criminal proce-
 4  dure  law  or by a conviction which is sealed pursuant to section 160.58
 5  OR 160.59 of the criminal procedure law, in connection with the  licens-
 6  ing,  employment or providing of credit or insurance to such individual;
 7  provided, further, that no person shall be required to divulge  informa-
 8  tion  pertaining to any arrest or criminal accusation of such individual
 9  not then pending against that individual which was followed by a  termi-
10  nation  of  that criminal action or proceeding in favor of such individ-
11  ual, as defined in subdivision two of section  160.50  of  the  criminal
12  procedure  law,  or  by  a youthful offender adjudication, as defined in
13  subdivision one of section 720.35 of the criminal procedure law, or by a
14  conviction for a violation sealed pursuant  to  section  160.55  of  the
15  criminal  procedure  law, or by a conviction which is sealed pursuant to
16  section 160.58 OR 160.59 of the criminal procedure law.  

It is Unlawful to ask on a formal (written application) or in an interview (job or occupational license) about a sealedcriminal conviction or to hold that sealed history against someone. That also includes any convictions or arrests adjudicated when you are under age 19 (youthful offender).

No-one can inquire about the sealed convictions.

Not a governmental occupational agency for licensing,Not an employer for a job or position.


EXCEPT inquiry can be made once you apply for  :


Gun, firearm, or deadly weapon license;

Employment as police officer or peace officer.



The  provisions
17  of  this  subdivision  shall  not  apply  to the licensing activities of
18  governmental bodies in relation to the regulation of guns, firearms  and
19  other  deadly weapons or in relation to an application for employment as
20  a police officer or peace officer as those terms are defined in subdivi-
21  sions thirty-three and thirty-four  of  section  1.20  of  the  criminal
22  procedure  law; provided further that the provisions of this subdivision
23  shall not apply to an application for employment or  membership  in  any
24  law enforcement agency with respect to any arrest or criminal accusation
25  which  was  followed  by a youthful offender adjudication, as defined in
26  subdivision one of section 720.35 of the criminal procedure law, or by a
27  conviction for a violation sealed pursuant  to  section  160.55  of  the
28  criminal  procedure  law, or by a conviction which is sealed pursuant to
29  section 160.58 OR 160.59 of the criminal procedure law.
30    S 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
31  it shall have become a law and  shall  apply  to  searches  of  criminal
32  history records conducted on or after such date; provided, however, that
33  a  defendant  may request sealing, as set forth in section 160.59 of the
34  criminal procedure law, as added by section one  of  this  act,  for  an
35  offense  which  was committed prior to the effective date of this act or 
36 on or after the effective date of this act.


So there are the major parts of the new sealing law and hopefully some simplification.

It's accompanying piece of integrated Executive law on the unlawfulness of inquiring into past sealed convictions are a bonus to those applying for  jobs or occupational licenses.  

Lawrence Newman is a partner in Newman and Cyr which focuses on DWI and criminal defense in the Fingerlakes region of New York State. contact larry@ithacacdwi.com

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