WHAT IS THE NEW LAW?
Beginning October 7th, 2017, eligible individuals convicted of an eligible oense may request to have their
records sealed if they have not been convicted of another crime for a period of 10 years from the day they
were sentenced or released from jail/prison (whichever is later).
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO SEAL THEIR CONVICTIONS UNDER CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW §160.59?
You are eligible if you have been crime-free for at least 10 years since your conviction and/or release and
you have only two (2) convictions on your criminal record. If you have more than two (2) convictions, you
may still be eligible if your convictions are related to the same one or two incidents. For example, if you
were charged and convicted of multiple crimes during one incident, the court may choose to consider those
multiple convictions as one incident or conviction when considering your application.
WHAT TYPE OF CONVICTIONS ARE ELIGIBLE OFFENSES?
All misdemeanor convictions are eligible, and some felonies are eligible to be sealed. You can, however, seal
at most one (1) felony. Sex oenses, violent felonies and serious felonies are not eligible for sealing.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A RECORD IS SEALED?
The criminal record of your prior crime or crimes cannot be seen by anyone other than qualified state agencies
and state and local law enforcement, unless you are seeking to become a police or peace ocer, applying
for a gun permit, or the information is needed for law enforcement purposes.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR APPLYING UNDER CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW §160.59?
Step 1: Visit the NY State Courts website at nycourts.gov/courthelp/sealed/ to obtain a copy of the
required forms, and instructions on how to fill them out. The instructions also contain a list of crimes
that are ineligible for sealing.
Step 2: Read and follow the instructions provided to file a motion for sealing with the court.
DO YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL CONVICTION
AND HAVE YOU REMAINED CRIME-FREE
FOR 10 YEARS?
You may be able to have up to two criminal convictions and related
charges sealed under new Criminal Procedure Law §160.59.