Christie signs bills to help former convicts clear records, get jobs
Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday signed a trio of bipartisan bills that will make it easier for those convicted of minor crimes to expunge their records and apply for jobs.
Flanked by ranking Democratic lawmakers, including Senate President Stephen Sweeney and main sponsor Sen. Sandra Cunningham, Christie called the measures "a true model for other states to replicate."
Two of the bills will shorten the time period juvenile and adult offenders can seek to expunge their records and expand the list of offenses eligible for expungement. The third bars employers from inquiring whether job applicants have had their criminal records expunged.
"A minor criminal offense should not lead to a lifetime of punishment," said Cunningham, D-Hudson.
The new laws, Christie said, will give reformed minor offenders "the opportunity to provide their own personal history during an employment interview rather than being prejudged by their criminal record."
The Republican governor, who leaves office in January after two terms in office, said the changes were part of his broader legacy of criminal justice reforms, which also include New Jersey's massive bail system overhaul that took effect this year.
Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday signed a trio of bipartisan bills that will make it easier for those convicted of minor crimes to expunge their records and apply for jobs.
Flanked by ranking Democratic lawmakers, including Senate President Stephen Sweeney and main sponsor Sen. Sandra Cunningham, Christie called the measures "a true model for other states to replicate."
Two of the bills will shorten the time period juvenile and adult offenders can seek to expunge their records and expand the list of offenses eligible for expungement. The third bars employers from inquiring whether job applicants have had their criminal records expunged.
"A minor criminal offense should not lead to a lifetime of punishment," said Cunningham, D-Hudson.
The new laws, Christie said, will give reformed minor offenders "the opportunity to provide their own personal history during an employment interview rather than being prejudged by their criminal record."
The Republican governor, who leaves office in January after two terms in office, said the changes were part of his broader legacy of criminal justice reforms, which also include New Jersey's massive bail system overhaul that took effect this year.