NJ A5969

Allows victims of domestic violence or substantial physical, sexual, or psychological abuse to petition for expungement of convictions if the abuse was a contributing factor to the offense

Excludes murder and sex offenses requiring registration under Megan's Law from eligibility for this expungement process

Permits filing immediately after conviction, completion of probation/parole, release from incarceration, or payment of financial assessments, with no waiting period

Requires courts to find by preponderance of evidence that the person was an abuse victim and the abuse contributed to the offense, while considering whether the petitioner was the primary aggressor

Courts may consider hospital records, protective orders, domestic violence incident reports, testimony from victim services professionals, and other relevant evidence when deciding expungement petitions

Takes effect on the first day of the tenth month following enactment of the companion bill (A5968/S4870)