A Fresh Start: NY’s New Record Sealing Law
In 2023, New York passed the Clean Slate Act, which provides for the automatic sealing of certain criminal conviction records after a waiting period. This is one of the most significant criminal justice reforms in New York history.
Under the law, eligible convictions are automatically sealed without requiring the individual to file a petition, and after the following waiting periods from release from incarceration or sentencing: 3 years for misdemeanor convictions and 8 years for felony convictions.
Sealed records are not visible to most employers, landlords, or the general public. However, they remain accessible to law enforcement, certain licensing boards, and for some sensitive background checks.
Who is not eligible: Certain convictions are excluded, including sex offenses requiring registration, Class A felonies like murder, and other serious violent offenses.
The Clean Slate Act is still being implemented, and the full rules around which records qualify and how sealing works in practice are continuing to develop.
If you have a past conviction that may qualify for sealing under the Clean Slate Act, or if you’re concerned about your criminal record affecting your employment or housing, Samson Legal can help you understand your options.
