MS HB160

Allows persons convicted of specified felonies (bad checks, drug possession, false pretenses, larceny, malicious mischief, shoplifting) to petition for expunction of one conviction five years after completing their sentence.

Requires petitioner to give district attorney 10 days' written notice before expunction hearing and requires court to determine on record whether applicant is rehabilitated.

Retains nonpublic records at Mississippi Criminal Information Center for determining first-offender status in future proceedings and allows district attorneys to retain records for law enforcement purposes.

Requires persons granted expunction to disclose previous conviction and expunction to courts in camera when called as prospective jurors, with attorneys then informed before jury selection.

Effective July 1, 2010, and supplements existing expunction provisions for misdemeanors and cases with dismissed charges.