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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Ohio Senate Bill 288 Explained --> Ohio SB288 Changes Expungement Law in OhioOhio criminal laws have been reformed by Senate Bill 288 which takes effect on April 4, 2023. This new law creates sweeping changes for the Sealing and Expunging of criminal records, including, conviction records, bail forfeitures, findings of not guilty, dismissed charges, and a No Bill issued by grand jury. The new law also extends the opportunity to seal or expunge records to a governor’s pardon.Can an Expungement Erase Past MistakesThe most remarkable addition of SB 288 is that for the first time in Ohio’s history, people will have the opportunity to have a true “Expungement”, in addition to the existing process for “Sealing of Records”. Before the passage of Ohio’s new law, the courts and the legal community commonly referred to the process for removing criminal records from a person’s background as “Expungement” or “Sealing.” Ohio had just one process, but these terms were used interchangeably to refer to the same process for criminal record removal.Ohio’s new law will distinguish between Expungement and Sealing and their effect. A “SealedRecord” is removed from all public records, and the public no longer has access to the criminal record,including anyone who pulls a background check – employers, landlords, etc. However, a sealed record is still maintained by the government for access for limited purposes. An “Expungement” shall delete, destroy, and erase a record so that the record is permanently irretrievable. While there are some exceptions for access to expunged records,
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