New Law Gives Criminal Offenders a Clean Slate

Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 18, 2015 (Newswire.com) - There are two primary goals of the criminal justice system. The first being to incarcerate individuals who have violated our laws, and the second, to rehabilitate them so they don't commit crimes in the future. Even so, criminals can continue paying for low-level felony crimes long after their sentence has ended.

This means convictions can unduly impact criminals convicted of misdemeanors and low-level felony crimes such as check fraud, on probation, possession of stolen merchandise, and the most common low-level felony, DUI. As a result of this impact, and under pressure from advocacy groups, Governor Mark Dayton signed into law MN Statute 609A.02 which will make it possible for people convicted of these crimes to have their records sealed, or expunged 2-5 years after their sentence has officially ended (i.e. when probation has expired).

"Low-level offenders who have completed their sentence and "paid their debt to society" deserve every chance at redemption. This law is intended to help people fully reintegrate their lives into the fabric of society. Applied with judicial discretion, this new law will make our communities stronger and safer," remarked Minneapolis criminal defense lawyer Max Keller.

The bipartisan legislation is part of a trend sweeping across America that is making it easier for low-level criminal offenders to pursue everything from employment and education, to home ownership and travel. Because many can be turned away due to mistakes of their youth, or one-time mistakes in adulthood, the law is a much anticipated addition to the legal toolbox.

"People make mistakes; sometimes serious mistakes. This new law will not forgive the mistake, but it will give offenders something to work towards as they atone for their crimes. Thus, it's an incentive that could ultimately make our cities and communities much safer places to live," opined Minneapolis criminal defense lawyer Max Keller.  

It is important to remember that this new law does not extend to violent felonies such as rape, murder, etc. Thus, there is absolutely no risk that violent offenders will be able to shield their criminal records from background checks. This means that victims of violent crimes will not need to worry about their tormentors legally obtaining weapons, skirting restraining orders, or in any way using the legal system to "disappear" their crimes from public view.