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A new study funded by The Clean Slate Initiative, titled “Automating Administrative Burden in Algorithmic Criminal Record Expungement,” was recently published in the Law & Society Review. Drawing on interviews with 105 individuals eligible for record sealing in California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Utah, the research examines how automated Clean Slate policies reduce longstanding barriers associated with traditional petition-based expungement systems.
Participants described the financial costs, legal complexity, and uncertainty that often prevented people from pursuing relief through manual processes, while expressing strong support for automated systems that shift the burden from individuals to the state.
The study also highlights an important next step for Clean Slate implementation: ensuring people know when their records have been sealed and understand how to access the benefits of that relief. Researchers found that uncertainty around record status can prevent individuals from pursuing employment, housing, education, and other opportunities, even after relief has been granted.
Key findings include:
- Automated record sealing significantly improves accessibility by removing application costs, paperwork, and procedural barriers.
- Many individuals remain unaware when their records have been sealed, limiting the real-world impact of relief.
- Clear communication, transparency, and notification systems are critical to helping people fully benefit from Clean Slate policies.
- Awareness and trust in the sealing process can influence whether individuals pursue new economic and personal opportunities.
By examining both the promise and implementation challenges of automated record sealing, this research offers valuable insights for policymakers, advocates, and practitioners working to ensure Clean Slate policies deliver meaningful access to second chances at scale.
