Bars expungement of conviction, arrest, or charge if crime or offense involved domestic violence.

This New Jersey bill (A1598) prohibits the expungement (clearing from public records) of any arrest, charge, or conviction related to domestic violence, even if the case was dismissed, the person was acquitted, or discharged without conviction. It directly affects individuals with domestic violence-related cases in their criminal history, barring them from having those records sealed under standard expungement rules. The key provision adds a specific exception to existing expungement law, stating that "any person who has been arrested or held to answer for a crime or offense involving domestic violence" cannot qualify for record sealing, regardless of case outcome. This change applies uniformly to all domestic violence cases under New Jersey law, without exceptions for dismissed charges or acquittals. The bill remains in early legislative stages (introduced January 2026, referred to Judiciary Committee).