AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

This bill updates Rhode Island's criminal record expungement laws to align with a new 10-year waiting period specifically for driving under the influence (DUI) charges. It allows eligible individuals to petition courts to seal their criminal records after meeting specific time requirements, with misdemeanors generally becoming eligible after five years and felonies or certain DUI offenses after ten years. The legislation maintains restrictions by excluding violent crimes from expungement and requires petitioners to have paid all court fees and demonstrated good moral character. Additionally, it requires courts to notify relevant law enforcement agencies when expungement orders are granted and includes provisions for expunging records of offenses that have since been decriminalized.