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Bill

HB 535

Expungement; certain pardoned, vacated, or overturned convictions authorized to be expunged; hearing procedures, further provided

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Travis Hendrix

Alabama bill allowing convicted individuals to expunge pardoned, vacated, or overturned convictions through court petition and hearing procedures.

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Judiciary)
#criminalprocedure
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Bill Summary · HB 535

Legislative bill overview

HB 535 authorizes the expungement of certain criminal convictions in Alabama that have been pardoned, vacated, or overturned. The bill establishes procedures for individuals to petition courts to have eligible convictions removed from their criminal records, including provisions for hearings to determine eligibility.

Why is this important

Expungement allows individuals with overturned or pardoned convictions to move forward without the permanent stigma of a criminal record, improving employment, housing, and educational opportunities. This addresses cases where the conviction was legally nullified but the record remained public, creating ongoing barriers for people who were essentially exonerated.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of eligibility: Defining which convictions qualify (pardoned vs. vacated vs. overturned) and whether all categories are included or limited to specific offense types
  • Victim considerations: Balancing expungement rights against victims' interests, particularly in serious crime cases where records may be important for safety or closure
  • Implementation costs: Court resources needed to process petitions and conduct hearings, and whether fees should apply to applicants
  • Record retention: Whether law enforcement and other agencies retain access to expunged records, and what "expungement" truly means in practice versus public access restrictions

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

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