New York will automatically seal old criminal records under new law
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the legislation at the Brooklyn Museum
PROSPECT HEIGHTS — New Yorkers who complete their sentences and stay out of trouble for a certain period of time will have their criminal records automatically sealed under a long awaited bill signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday.
New York now joins a slew of other states including California, New Jersey, and Michigan, which have passed similar measures in recent years.
The years-long endeavor to get the legislation over the finish line is seen as a major victory in criminal justice reform by various organizations including labor and advocacy groups.