MS HB1523

Amends Section 99-19-71 of Mississippi Code to allow persons convicted of felony embezzlement under Sections 97-23-19, 97-23-25, 97-11-29, 97-23-21, or 97-11-27 to petition for expungement 14 years after successful completion of all sentence terms and conditions.

Establishes a 14-year waiting period for felony embezzlement expungement, compared to the 5-year period already available for other specified felonies (bad check offenses, drug possession, false pretense, larceny, malicious mischief, and shoplifting).

Requires petitioner to provide 10 days' written notice to the district attorney before the expungement hearing and allows the court to grant expungement if the applicant is determined to be rehabilitated.

Limits persons to only one felony expunction under this provision and allows nonpublic records to be retained by the Mississippi Criminal Information Center for determining first offender status in subsequent proceedings.

Takes effect July 1, 2019.