AR HB1540

Establishes automatic record sealing process for eligible criminal convictions in Arkansas circuit courts beginning in 2019 Regular Session, with study for implementing similar system in district courts by 2021

Defines "offense eligible for automatic sealing" as violations, most misdemeanors, and Class C/D felonies convicted in circuit court, excluding crimes involving violence, sex offender registration offenses, and certain specified misdemeanors

Records automatically seal from state databases after 5 years from conviction date and sentence completion if person has not been convicted of felony or Class A misdemeanor since original conviction

Circuit court clerk compiles monthly lists of eligible convictions and transmits to prosecuting attorney for verification; prosecutor has 30 days to identify ineligible cases or object; circuit court enters sealing order within 10 days of receiving eligible list

Arkansas Crime Information Center receives sealed record information from courts and validates records before sealing from its database and notifying other relevant state agency databases; records before January 1, 2000 excluded from automatic sealing requirement