Frequently Asked Questions

Clean Slate laws are policies that meet CSI’s standards, which include:

• Automation of record clearance;
• Automatic clearance upon eligibility of the record (noting that eligibility varies from state to state);
• Inclusion of arrest records;
• Inclusion of misdemeanor records; and,
• A strong recommendation for laws to include eligibility of at least one felony record.

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Record clearance, expungement, sealing, and pardons are all legal processes that aim to address a person's record, but they have different implications and effects:

• Record Clearance: This is a broad term that encompasses various legal processes to remove or mitigate the impact of a criminal record. It can include expungement, sealing, and other similar procedures.
• Expungement: Expungement is a legal process that allows for the removal of certain non-convictions and convictions from a person's record. After expungement, in most cases, it's as if the conviction never happened. The record is typically sealed from public view or deleted and can only be accessed in limited circumstances.
• Sealing: Sealing a record means that it is not available for public view, but it still exists in the eyes of the law. Certain individuals, like law enforcement or government agencies, may still have access to sealed records in some situations. Additionally, impacted individuals can access their own sealed records by court order or request.
• Pardons: A pardon is an official forgiveness granted by the government for a specific crime. It does not remove the conviction from the person's record, but it may restore certain rights, like the right to vote or other civil rights, depending on the jurisdiction.

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CSI does not provide legal services, record sealing services, or offer legal advice. If you are in need of information, services or legal advice related to your record, we encourage you to reach out to resources in your state that will be able to provide more information about record sealing. Here are some resources that are a good place to start:

• The National Reentry Resource Center (NRRC): Locate legal service providers in a state or territory. Please note that contact information for legal aid organizations, bar associations, and other organizations that engage in record clearance work is provided for informational purposes only. The NRRC and CSI do not endorse or recommend any organization or individual referenced on the site.
• 50-State Survey of Expungement Laws and Forms: This compilation of expungement laws and forms is a great overview if you’re looking for information about the types of records that may be expunged or sealed in your state, as well as forms to apply for record relief.
• 50-State Comparison: Expungement, Sealing & Other Record Relief: A comprehensive resource from the Collateral Consequences Resource Center that lists information about expungement, sealing, and other record relief in all 50 states.
• Clean Slate in States: Many states have active Clean Slate campaigns that may have connections to record clearance resources. To see if your state has an active campaign, and find a campaign website, visit our Clean Slate in States page.
• Formerly Incarcerated, Convicted People and Families Movement (FICPFM): FICPFM is a national network of civil and human rights organizations led by people with conviction histories and their family members. Visit their website’s network page to find resources and movements near you.
• Clean Slate Clearing House: The Clean Slate Clearinghouse provides people with juvenile and adult criminal records, legal service providers, and state policymakers with information on record clearance policies in all U.S. states and territories.

We recognize that the journey to record sealing can be overwhelming, and we want to honor that by doing our part to offer support in the ways we are able, like providing the resources below. We do not provide legal services, record sealing services, or offer legal advice. If you contact us with a question about sealing your record, we will refer you to a resource listed here.

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