House Bill 825 - The Clean Slate Act

• Authorizes persons to petition courts to seal arrest and conviction records if charges were dismissed, defendant was acquitted, conviction was reversed on appeal, or 10+ years have passed since conviction with no subsequent crimes.

• Requires petitions be verified, filed in the court where arrest or conviction occurred, served on prosecutors and law enforcement at least 15 days before hearing, and include petitioner's name, arrest date, location, and supporting information.

• Directs Mississippi Justice Information Center to mark sealed records with "sealed" and "arrest relief granted" notations; sealed records remain accessible only to criminal justice agencies and the person whose record was sealed.

• Establishes civil penalties of $500 to $2,500 per violation for unauthorized dissemination of sealed record information outside criminal justice sector, enforceable by city/district attorneys or Attorney General.

• Allows persons who complete prefiling diversion programs or drug court programs to petition courts to seal arrest records; permits sealed record holders to state they were not arrested except for peace officer applications and certain government positions.