skip to content

Reentry Resource Center - New York

Serving People from Arrest to Reintegration

Advocating for Conditional Sealing— CPL § 160.58

  • Organization: Center for Community Alternatives
  • Document Type: Training materials
  • Date Created: Tuesday, September 02, 2014
  • Submitted: Tuesday, September 02, 2014
  • Attachment(s): LINK

Effective June 2009, Criminal Procedure Law (CPL)
§ 160.58 allows the sealing of drug-related convictions
under certain circumstances. This is the first time that it is
possible to seal convictions in New York. To date, however,
only about 30 people have benefited from this new
legislation. In light of the expanded use of criminal background
searches and the significant barriers to successful
reintegration that a person with a criminal conviction
faces, it is surprising that more people have not taken
advantage of the conditional sealing statute. This article
provides tools and practice tips for defense counsel who
seek to assist their clients in realizing the significant benefits
of conditional sealing.