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Who’s eligible?

A person who has been charged with a misdemeanor criminal offense, a traffic violation, or a municipal ordinance violation – if the charge was dismissed with prejudice, no-billed by a grand jury, the person was found not guilty of the charge, or the charge was dismissed without prejudice more than two years ago and has not been refiled.

What about felony charges?

The act allows for expunging non-violent felony charges, in the event of a no-bill by a grand jury, a dismissal of the charge with prejudice, a finding of not guilty, and one year after completion of a diversion program like drug treatment, mental health treatment or veterans court.

A person is also eligible, if the charge was dismissed without prejudice more than five years ago, has not been refiled, and the person has not been convicted of any other felony or misdemeanor crime, any violation, or any traffic violation, excluding minor traffic violations, during the previous five years.

What felony charges are not eligible to be expunged?

Violent felonies listed in the Alabama code are not eligible, including: capital murder, murder, manslaughter, assault, kidnapping, rape, sodomy, robbery, burglary, arson, stalking, sexual abuse and domestic violence 1 and 2.

Section 15-27-1 Petition to expunge records – Misdemeanor criminal offense, traffic violation, municipal ordinance violation.

(a) A person who has been charged with a misdemeanor criminal offense, a violation, a traffic violation, or a municipal ordinance violation may file a petition in the criminal division of the circuit court in the county in which the charges were filed, to expunge records relating to the charge in any of the following circumstances:

(1) When the charge is dismissed with prejudice.

(2) When the charge has been no billed by a grand jury.

(3) When the person has been found not guilty of the charge.

(4) When the charge was dismissed without prejudice more than two years ago, has not been refiled, and the person has not been convicted of any other felony or misdemeanor crime, any violation, or any traffic violation, excluding minor traffic violations, during the previous two years.

(b) The circuit court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of a petition filed under subsection (a).

(Act 2014-292, §1.)

Section 15-27-2 Petition to expunge records – Felony offense.

(a) A person who has been charged with a felony offense, except a violent offense as defined in Section 12-25-32(14), may file a petition in the criminal division of the circuit court in the county in which the charges were filed, to expunge records relating to the charge in any of the following circumstances:

(1) When the charge is dismissed with prejudice.

(2) When the charge has been no billed by a grand jury.

(3) When the person has been found not guilty of the charge.

(4)a. The charge was dismissed after successful completion of a drug court program, mental health court program, diversion program, veteran’s court, or any court-approved deferred prosecution program after one year from successful completion of the program.

   b. Expungement may be a court-ordered condition of a program listed in paragraph a.

(5) The charge was dismissed without prejudice more than five years ago, has not been refiled, and the person has not been convicted of any other felony or misdemeanor crime, any violation, or any traffic violation, excluding minor traffic violations, during the previous five years.

(6) Ninety days have passed from the date of dismissal with prejudice, no-bill, acquittal, or nolle prosequi and the charge has not been refiled.

(b) The circuit court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of a petition filed under subsection (a).

(Act 2014-292, §2.)

Section 15-27-16 Disclosure of information from expunged file without a court order; liability.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an individual who knows an expungement order was granted pursuant to this chapter and who intentionally and maliciously divulges, makes known, reveals, gives access to, makes public, uses, or otherwise discloses the contents of an expunged file without a court order, or pursuant to a provision of this chapter, shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

(b) In addition to any other immunity or other civil protection or legal remedy available that an individual or entity may rightfully claim, an agency, department, custodian of records, corporation, business entity, or individual that makes public or disseminates a record that has been judicially expunged pursuant to this chapter shall be immune from civil liability absent unreasonable, wanton, willful, or intentional conduct.

(c) In addition to any other immunity or other civil protection or legal remedy available that an individual or entity may rightfully claim, an agency, department, custodian of records, corporation, business entity, or individual that employs, hires, contracts with, or holds any business or contractual relationship with an individual and is unaware of the existence of a criminal record due to an expungement pursuant to this chapter shall be immune from civil liability for damages caused by the person, absent unreasonable, wanton, willful, or intentional conduct.

(Act 2014-292, §16.)

Section 15-27-17

Filing under false pretenses.

Upon determination by the court that a petition for expungement was filed under false pretenses and was granted, the order of expungement shall be reversed and the criminal history record shall be restored to reflect the original charges.

(Act 2014-292, §17.)

Section 15-27-18

Applicants for position in law enforcement, etc.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an applicant for a position in law enforcement or corrections or a law enforcement or correctional officer shall disclose and produce any expunged record pursuant to this chapter or any other state law to the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission, and the commission shall have access to any expunged records sealed or archived pursuant to this chapter for purposes of certification and regulation of persons as correctional and law enforcement officers.

(Act 2014-292, §18.)