MS HB176

Adds new subsection (2)(b) to Section 99-19-71, allowing persons who received an executive pardon from the Governor to petition for expungement of all convictions for which they were pardoned.

Permits courts to grant expungement for pardoned convictions without restriction, exempting pardoned offenders from the list of ineligible felonies that normally cannot be expunged.

Maintains existing expungement requirements including 10 days' written notice to the district attorney and a court hearing to determine the petition.

Retains protections allowing nonpublic records to be kept for determining first offender status in future proceedings and permitting employers to ask about prior expungements.

Takes effect July 1, 2020.