The bill amends existing laws regarding the expungement of criminal records in New Mexico, specifically addressing the processes for individuals wrongfully identified due to identity theft, those released without conviction, and those convicted of offenses. Notably, it removes the requirement for the court to issue an expungement order within thirty days of a hearing, allowing for more flexibility in the court's timeline. Additionally, it eliminates the requirement for notice to the Department of Public Safety and law enforcement agencies in certain circumstances, streamlining the petition process for expungement.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that embezzlement is no longer considered a qualifying offense for expungement, thereby restricting the ability of individuals convicted of this crime to have their records cleared. The amendments also clarify the notification process for petitioners, now requiring only the district attorney to be notified of filed petitions. Overall, the bill aims to simplify and expedite the expungement process while tightening the criteria for certain offenses.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 29-3A-3, 29-3A-4, 29-3A-5, 29-10-8