Having your criminal record expunged can be a costly and challenging process. Tenessee’s lawmakers have decided to work together to reduce this cost and help individuals with criminal records have their records cleared for almost no cost. Starting July 1st, the state expungement fee could be zero dollars, thanks to the new law that allows the state to no longer have a mandatory expungement fee.
Under the new legislation, an expungement fee will now be up to the county clerks’ discretion and can not be more than $100. This law will open up many doors for those who have a criminal record by making the expungement process much more affordable and therefore more accessible.
The new law will also expand the type of offenses eligible for expungement. These offenses include Class C, D, and E felonies or most related theft offenses. The new law also allows for more severe crimes to be expunged after a specified period of time.
The end goal in mind is to allow the expungement of records to be automatic, and this new legislation is getting one step closer to achieving this goal. Tennessee wants to help people move on in life and find employment and housing opportunities, which can be very difficult to do when a criminal record follows you. The proposed legislation is still under review.
If you feel you’re having a hard time navigating the costly expunction process, we can help. Our software saves you money and time. Simply sign up for a free background report on EasyExpunctions.com to get started!