New York State Clean Slate Act

The New York State Clean Slate Act went into law on November 16, 2024. This statute automatically seals criminal convictions from your record for civil background purposes. Not all criminal convictions are eligible under this act. If you were convicted of a non-violent crime, your criminal conviction is eligible for automatic sealing. The legislative intent behind this act is to prevent a criminal conviction from interfering with employment opportunities and/or housing opportunities.

The criminal justice system of New York State until November 16, 2027, to automatically seal non-violent criminal convictions. If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor you are eligible for automatic sealing if you have not had any police contact for 3 years. The time starts either when you are released from custody, complete probation, and pay all of the associated fines and surcharges.

If you are re-arrested during this 3-year period, the clock restarts. If you have been convicted of a non-violent felony, your criminal conviction is eligible for sealing 8 years after your release from incarceration or your completion of parole and you have not had any contact with the criminal justice system. If you are re-arrested during this 8-year period, the clock restarts. Class A felonies, violent felonies, or any sex-offense conviction is not eligible for sealing under the Clean Slate Act.