The bill amends the existing laws regarding the expungement of criminal records in New Mexico, specifically addressing the processes for expungement related to identity theft, release without conviction, and conviction. 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, the bill eliminates the requirement for notice to the Department of Public Safety and law enforcement agencies in certain circumstances, streamlining the petition process for individuals seeking expungement.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that embezzlement is no longer considered a qualifying offense for expungement, thereby restricting the types of convictions eligible for this relief. The changes aim to simplify the expungement process and provide individuals with a clearer path to clearing their records, particularly in cases of wrongful identification due to identity theft or when released without conviction. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the accessibility of expungement for individuals while maintaining necessary legal safeguards.

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