House passes bill to give young offenders 2nd chance

House passes bill to give young offenders 2nd chance

The Mississippi House has passed a bill that will allow for young offenders to have a felony expunged from their record after five years of clean living.

The expungement option would apply to individuals who were certified by the court as an adult but who were under the age of 18 when convicted of a felony for a nonviolent crime, such as for forgery or simple possession of drugs, said House Juvenile Justice Committee Chairman Earle Banks, D-Jackson.

Violent crimes or convictions for selling drugs would not be applicable and a person could only apply to have one felony conviction expunged.

House Bill 1381 passed 114-4 Thursday morning.

Clarion Ledger
2/10/11