Norfolk DA Morrissey Working On "Second Chance" Legislation

NORFOLK COUNTY, MA — Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey is working with Rep. Tackey Chan to expand legislation that gives young offenders a second chance. The state already has a law on expunging criminal records for people who made a single mistake before turning 21, but Morrissey and Chan want to broaden it.

Morrisey said he thinks the current law is too narrow, “Even a minor criminal record, dating back years, can be an obstacle to employment, education and training,” said Morrissey.

The current state law allows records to be expunged if people were charged with crimes that are no longer crimes, like public drunkenness or simple possession of marijuana and if the person had a single, non-violent, non-sexual, non-OUI run-in with police before they turned 21 and have not re-offended.

Morrissey and Rep. Chan’s proposal plans to expand the second mechanism, House Bill No. 3250.

"Right now, if a 19-year-old was charged with both trespassing and disturbing the peace after a moment of teen-age idiocy, that case is not eligible for expungement because there are more than one charge on the docket," Morrissey said.

Morrissey and Chan argue that few cases come through the courts with just a single charge, meaning few are eligible for the expungement.

“This is a small change that could make a big difference in a lot of people’s lives without creating hardship for anyone,” Rep. Chan said. “DA Morrissey and I see this the same way.”