I am really not that familiar with deferred adjudications so I can't speak to the specifics, but in general, I would prefer having the record sealed instead of expunged. Allow the seal to be opened for certain defined circumstances such as: by LEO/prosecutor if the sealed conviction would have an affect on the nature or character of new charges being considered against the person; for background check for employment as peace officer or CO; if the sealed offense would be admissible in the trial for new charges; keep the DNA in the database if it is there.Charles L. Cotton wrote:I'm very much in favor of the concept, but in the end I believe few people will benefit. There are tens of thousands of deferred adjudications each year throughout the State and the Board will not have time to consider them and make a recommendation to the Governor. I think the law should be changed such that all successfully completed deferred adjudications result in the defendant's record being expunged.
I also think sealing should only be available for first-time offenders. If they committed multiple crimes at the same time, or within the same short time window, they could all be lumped together as "first-time".