New Alabama Law Allows Expungement of Certain Criminal Records

A new law in Alabama allows individuals to petition to have certain criminal records expunged upon the payment of $300 in fees, plus court costs, and following a successful petition to the court in which the relevant charge was filed. This means that, among other things, a prospective employee would not be required to disclose on an employment application criminal record information that has been expunged. Offenses subject to expungement include misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. The new law, Ala. Code Secs. 15-27-1 to -19, becomes effective July 6, 2014.