This bill seeks to amend Section 12-1-12.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-1, which pertains to the identification and apprehension of criminals. The amendment would change the timeframe for automatically sealing the records of criminal cases that were dismissed pursuant to the district court rule of criminal procedure 48(a). Currently, these records are sealed within ninety (90) days of dismissal, but the amendment would change this timeframe to not less than ten (10) days and not more than twenty (20) days after dismissal.

Additionally, the bill allows individuals who are acquitted or otherwise exonerated of all counts in a criminal case to file a motion for the sealing of their court records. The court would hold a hearing to consider the motion, and if it finds that the person is entitled to the sealing of the records, it would order the sealing of the court records. The clerk of the court would then place the sealed records under seal within forty-five (45) days of the court's order.

The bill also includes provisions regarding the retention of records in cases involving domestic violence charges and the escheatment of bail money. The bill would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
906  SUB A: 12-1-12.1
906: 12-1-12.1