Senate panel forwards nominees,auto-expungement bill to full body

A measure intended to provide relief to victims of bad arrests passed the Rules and Judiciary Committee on Thursday during a meeting where lawmakers also vetted nominees to two key positions in the territory. Bill No. 35-0178 is a measure allowing for the automatic expungement of arrest records upon a judicial finding that the arrest lacked probable cause. It would also amend a section of the Virgin Islands Code to designated expunged criminal records as confidential. The bill was sponsored by Sens. Javan James Sr., Franklin Johnson and At-Large Sen. Angel Bolques Jr.

Virgin Islands Justice Initiative Executive Director Casey Payton testified in support of the measure, calling the expungement process an “access to justice issue.”

“When Virgin Islands law already provides a right to expungement for certain charges, why do our people have to carry these charges on their arrest records — forever — just because they cannot afford an attorney,” she said, adding that the consequences of having a criminal record linger even after a conviction, plea, or case dismissal.