SB 470 Summary

• Authorizes persons charged with misdemeanor offenses to petition courts to expunge criminal records when charges are dismissed with prejudice, no-billed by grand jury, or result in acquittal.

• Requires petitioner to file sworn statement, serve prosecuting authority with 45-day objection period, and pay $75 administrative fee ($25 each to district attorney, court clerk, and Alabama Department of Public Safety).

• Allows indigent petitioners to apply for hardship status and request payment plans for filing fees.

• Permits courts to hold hearings on objections and consider factors including offense nature, circumstances, petitioner's age, rehabilitation evidence, and criminal history before granting or denying petitions.

• Upon expungement approval, courts must order destruction of all records within 120 days; petitioner is not required to disclose the expunged record on employment, credit, or other applications.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.