JS Online reports that the ABA is considering a resolution urging local, state and federal governments to seal the records of criminal cases in which convictions were not obtained. “It also calls for sealing the records of misdemeanor and felony convictions after a specified period of ‘law-abiding conduct.’ Only police and prosecutors would have access to the sealed files.” Currently, such are records are available in Wisconsin via CCAP.
Wisconsin ABA delegate, Attorney Richard Podell, “said the measure ‘has a good chance’ of passing and that if it does, ABA members would appeal to legislators in every state to pass matching laws.”
JS Online also reports that “Wisconsin legislators, citing the same concerns, introduced Assembly Bill 418 in late June. It would restrict access to online court records to court officials, law enforcement personnel, attorneys and accredited journalists.”