North Dakota lawmakers consider bill that would seal & erase criminal court records

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – A bill making its way through the North Dakota Legislature would make it easier to block public access to criminal court records.

Jack McDonald, an attorney who represents the North Dakota Broadcasters Association, says in certain cases, defendants could file a petition to seal the file and get it erased it from the public.

McDonald says the bill would affect anyone who wants to access a public court record, including employers and landlords seeking information about potential employees and tenants.

“If you did a story on someone for instance, and then you wanted to follow up and see what happened in the meantime, if he followed the procedures of this new law, his criminal record would be unavailable.”

McDonald says it appears lawmakers want to pass the bill to give people convicted of crimes a better chance of securing employment.

He expects the bill to be approved in some form.