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, 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 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 changes aim to simplify the expungement process while ensuring that certain serious offenses remain ineligible for expungement, thus balancing the interests of justice and public safety. The repeal of Section 29-10-8 NMSA 1978 is also included, indicating a comprehensive update to the expungement laws.

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