NY S03796

Expands eligibility for conviction sealing from up to 2 eligible offenses to up to 4 eligible criminal offenses (still limited to no more than 1 felony)

Adds violations of Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1192(1) (driving while ability impaired by alcohol) to the list of offenses eligible for sealing

Shifts the burden of proof by requiring courts to grant sealing applications unless the prosecutor demonstrates "exceptional circumstances" creating an unreasonable risk to public safety, rather than requiring applicants to justify why sealing should be granted

Eliminates mandatory hearings when prosecutors object, instead giving applicants the option to supplement their application with additional materials or request a hearing

Makes sealing applications and all related documents confidential, and clarifies that denials are without prejudice to future applications