Expand Certificates of Relief

Reduce Recidivism, Strengthen Families, and Preserve State Resources by Restoring Opportunities for Productive Citizenship to North Carolinians with Certain Criminal Records

Modeled on the Uniform Law Commission’s Collateral Consequences of Conviction Act, North Carolina’s Certificate of Relief Act (S.L. 2011-265) currently allows an individual convicted of two misdemeanor or low-level felony offenses (Classes G-I) in the same session of court to petition the court of conviction for a Certificate of Relief. We propose the General Assembly expand eligibility for Certificates of Relief to individuals with multiple misdemeanor and low-level felony convictions, increase the waiting period for relief to 36-months for certain individuals, and establish a filing fee of $50.