As of Saturday, Nov. 16, New York Courts started the process of sealing records for criminals with felonies and misdemeanors under the Clean Slate Act. The legislation is meant to help formerly incarcerated individuals restart their lives by sealing convictions from the public after a period of time.
La-Meik Taylor didn’t have the easiest childhood, growing up in Albany with a father in prison and his mother was schizophrenic. “I just recently finished doing a point of 10 years in prison where I was released last year on July 3rd, 2023,” said Taylor.
Through the Clean Slate Act, he’s getting that second chance his parents didn’t; from finding housing, a job, even a master’s degree at Bard College that’ll be completed in 2027. “While incarcerated I was focused on changing my life around and becoming the best version of myself to make an impact on my community,” he said.
Here’s how the Clean Slate Act works: convictions will be sealed post release. Misdemeanors will be sealed after three years, felony convictions will be sealed after eight years. Those with sex offender, kidnapping, murder, or violent felony charges won’t qualify; but some felony drug charges do count. Records will still be accessible to state courts and law enforcement, but private to employers, tenants, landlords, and higher education.
Advocates and supporters of Clean Slate believe it has the potential to reduce rates of re-incarceration. “Right now 2.3 million New Yorkers experience barriers to things like jobs, housing and education long after they’ve already completed their sentences,” said Thomas Gantt from the Center for Community Alternatives. “So a clean slate will help people help families, help the community support themselves and partake successfully.”
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Taylor hopes people will think of it as giving the next generation a chance to forge their own paths. “Due to systemic racism, the criminal justice system has a problem with targeting black and brown communities,” said Taylor. “So when we’re talking about racial equity, the Clean Slate Act would help heal generations of those affected by racial injustice.”
