HB 17-1208

HB 17-1208, also known as Record Sealing Clarifications, is a Colorado bill that makes changes to how criminal records can be sealed. It ensures that people who are acquitted of crimes or have their cases dismissed can get their records sealed more easily and quickly. The bill also specifies that victims must be notified if someone tries to seal their record in certain types of cases, giving them up to 42 days to respond. Additionally, it clarifies where the fees for sealing a record go—either to a state fund or back to the city—and allows prosecutors to share sealed documents with victims when necessary. Since this bill has been signed into law, its provisions are now in effect and being implemented by Colorado courts and agencies.

Official Summary

During the 2016 session, the general assembly adopted an expedited process for sealing the criminal records of a person who is acquitted, whose case is completely dismissed, who completed a diversion agreement, or who completed a deferred judgment and sentence. The bill clarifies that many of the general provisions related to criminal record sealing also apply to this expedited process. The bill clarifies that if the case involved a crime that requires a victim to be notified of a motion for record sealing, the court shall allow up to 42 days to provide that notification before ruling on the motion on record sealing. The bill clarifies that the filing fee for state court cases goes to the judicial stabilization fund and the filing fee in a municipal court goes to the municipality. The bill allows the prosecuting attorney or law enforcement agency to release sealed police reports or protection orders to the victim, if the victim demonstrates that there is a need for the reports for a lawful purpose. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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