AL SB252

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

Require petitioners to file sworn statements and serve the prosecuting authority; prosecutors have 45 days to object or the petition is deemed consented to.

Impose $75 administrative fee at filing, distributed as $25 each to district/municipal attorney's office, court clerk's office, and Alabama Department of Public Safety; indigent petitioners may request payment plans.

Grant courts discretion to hold hearings considering factors including offense nature, circumstances, petitioner's age, rehabilitation evidence, and criminal history; courts may grant petitions without hearing if no objection is filed.

Require courts to order destruction of all records upon granting expungement, with agencies certifying completion within 120 days; expunged records deemed never to have occurred and petitioner need not disclose the matter on employment or credit applications.