Pinehurst Today

A bill that will reform criminal justice expunction laws was approved by North Carolina lawmakers, which will give people convicted of nonviolent crimes a second chance, House Republicans said in a news release on June 15.

“Criminal justice reform is critical to expanding our State’s workforce for businesses and creating more economic opportunity across North Carolina,” Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford) said in the news release. 

The Second Chance Act makes several changes to expunction laws in the state, which will help reform criminal justice, the release said.  

Misdemeanors and felonies committed by someone between 16 and less than 18 years old will expunge the nonviolent charges that were found not guilty after Dec. 1, 2020, the news release said. District courts will also be able to dismiss charges and someone petitioning for expunction can or cannot have a previous felony conviction. All nonviolent crimes will also be able to be petitioned for expunction. 

“North Carolina has followed the President’s lead to enact balanced criminal justice reform that offers nonviolent offenders a true second chance to advance in our economy, to benefit their families," House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said, "and to find a new future in our state alongside their fellow citizens,”