New Jersey Expungement Statutes
N.J.S. 2C:52-5.3 “Clean slate” expungement by petition
a. A person, who is not otherwise eligible to
present an expungement application pursuant to any other section of chapter 52 of Title 2C
of the New Jersey Statutes or other section of law, may present an expungement application
to the Superior Court pursuant to this section if the person has been convicted of one or more
crimes, one or more disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offenses, or a combination
of one or more crimes and offenses under the laws of this State, unless the person has a
conviction for a crime which is not subject to expungement pursuant to subsection b. or c. of
N.J.S.2C:52-2. The person may present an application pursuant to this section regardless of
whether the person would otherwise be ineligible pursuant to subsection e. of N.J.S.2C:52-14
for having had a previous criminal conviction expunged, or due to having been granted an
expungement pursuant to this or any other provision of law.
b. The person, if eligible, may present the expungement application after the expiration of a period of ten years from the date of the person’s most recent conviction, payment of any court-ordered financial assessment, satisfactory completion of probation or parole, or release from incarceration, whichever is later. The term “court-ordered financial assessment” as used herein and throughout this section means and includes any fine, fee, penalty, restitution, and other form of financial assessment imposed by the court as part of the sentence for the conviction or convictions that are the subject of the application, for which payment of restitution takes precedence in accordance with chapter 46 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes. The person shall submit the expungement application to the Superior Court in the county in which the most recent conviction for a crime or offense was adjudged, which includes a duly verified petition as provided in N.J.S.2C:52-7 praying that all the person’s convictions, and all records and information pertaining thereto, be expunged. The petition appended to an application shall comply with the requirements set forth in N.J.S.2C:52-1 et seq.
c. Notwithstanding the provisions concerning the ten-year time requirement, if, at the time of application, a court-ordered financial assessment subject to collection under the comprehensive enforcement program established pursuant to P.L.1995, c.9 (C.2B:19-1 et al.) is not yet satisfied due to reasons other than willful noncompliance, but the time requirement of ten years is otherwise satisfied, the person may submit the expungement application and the court shall grant an expungement in accordance with this section; provided, however, that at the time of the expungement the court shall enter a civil judgment for the unpaid portion of the court-ordered financial assessment in the name of the Treasurer, State of New Jersey and transfer collection and disbursement responsibility to the State Treasurer for the outstanding amount in accordance with section 8 of P.L.2017, c.244 (C.2C:52-23.1). The Treasurer may specify, and the Administrative Office of the Courts shall collaborate with, the technical and informational standards required to effectuate the transfer of the collection and disbursement responsibilities. Notwithstanding any provision in this law or any other law to the contrary, the court shall have sole discretion to amend the judgment.
d. No expungement applications may be filed pursuant to this section after the establishment of the automated ”clean slate” process pursuant to subsection a. of section 8 of P.L.2019, c.269 (C.2C:52-5.4).
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