New Alabama Law Permits Clearing Arrest Record

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama residents who have been arrested for non-violent felonies but never convicted will soon have a way to wipe out their arrest records.

A law sponsored by Democratic state Sen. Roger Bedford of Russellville takes effect Monday. A person seeking removal of the records must supply documents about the case to the court that handled it. A district attorney will then have 45 days to review the request and notify a judge if the prosecution opposes the request. A judge can grant the request without a hearing if there is no objection. The applicant must pay a $300 fee.

Court officials say the law does not apply to arrests for violent felonies, and it does not apply to convictions.