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Under the new law, someone charged with a petty disorderly or disorderly persons offense can apply for “conditional dismissal” if he or she hadn’t previously been convited of one.
A person would make an application to the conditional dismissal program after a plea of guilty or a finding of guilt but before a judge enters the conviction.
Those who remain out of trouble and follow prescribed steps for a designated period of time have their records cleared.
Bergen/Passaic state Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, one of the co-sponsors of the measure, called it “an effective approach to dealing with first-time offenders who should be afforded a second chance to correct their misdeed.”
Schepisi said it “provides an opportunity for defendants to rehabilitate themselves and pay an appropriate penalty without having the offense be a part of their permanent criminal record.”
At the same time, she said, “these kinds of cases can be adjudicated without tying up the court system.”
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