New York Record Sealing Eligibility Checker
New York now has two paths to a sealed record: automatic sealing under the Clean Slate Act (CPL 160.57, operative since November 2024) and sealing by petition under CPL 160.59. This checker walks the requirements of both.
NY Record Sealing Eligibility Checker
The Two Paths
| Clean Slate (automatic, CPL 160.57) | Petition (CPL 160.59) | |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting period | 3 years (misdemeanor) / 8 years (felony), from sentencing or release | 10 years from sentencing or release |
| Conviction limits | No numeric limit, but excluded offenses never seal | Maximum 2 convictions, at most 1 felony |
| Excluded | Sex offenses, Class A felonies (non-drug) | Sex offenses, violent felonies, Class A felonies |
| Who acts | Happens by operation of law | You petition; the DA can oppose; the judge decides |
Sealed is not erased: law enforcement, gun licensing, and certain employers still see sealed records. For how criminal cases run in each borough, see our court guides, including Manhattan Criminal Court.
Conviction Still Following You Around?
We verify whether Clean Slate sealed your record as it should have, fix records that did not seal, and litigate CPL 160.59 petitions when the DA objects. A sealed record changes job applications, housing, and licensing.
About the Author
Albert Goodwin Esq. is a licensed New York criminal defense attorney with over 18 years of courtroom experience in New York City. He can be reached at 212-233-1233 or [email protected].
