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SB 685

AN ACT REPEALING STATUTES ALLOWING AUTOMATIC ERASURE OF CRIMINAL RECORDS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Anne Dauphinais and 2 co-sponsors

SB 685 eliminates Connecticut's automatic criminal record erasure process, requiring individuals to manually petition courts for expungement instead.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Judiciary
#erasureofcriminalrecords
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Bill Summary · SB 685

Legislative bill overview

SB 685 would repeal Connecticut statutes that currently allow for automatic erasure (expungement) of certain criminal records. Under existing law, individuals meeting specific criteria can have records automatically cleared without filing a petition. This bill would eliminate that automatic process, presumably requiring individuals to petition the court manually for record erasure instead.

Why is this important

Criminal record erasure significantly affects employment, housing, professional licensing, and social reintegration opportunities for individuals with conviction histories. Connecticut's automatic erasure process currently removes barriers for people who have met statutory requirements; repealing it would shift the burden to individuals to navigate the legal system themselves, potentially creating barriers based on access to legal resources and information.

Potential points of contention

  • Balancing public safety and rehabilitation: Supporters may argue automatic erasure removes consequences and public access to criminal history; opponents contend it undermines rehabilitation by perpetuating barriers to employment and housing
  • Access to justice concerns: Repealing automatic erasure could disadvantage lower-income individuals who cannot afford attorneys to file expungement petitions, creating a two-tiered system
  • Administrative burden on courts: Shifting from automatic to petition-based erasure would increase judicial workload; conversely, supporters may argue proper judicial review ensures appropriate cases are cleared

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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