Nearly 500,000 people convicted of nonviolent, low-level crimes in Utah had their records expunged automatically Thursday, as the state’s new “clean slate” law went into effect.
Amy Daeschel embraces former Rep. Eric Hutchings, sponsor of the "clean slate" bill, following a ceremony at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. The 2019 measure, which automatically expunges certain low-level offenses from criminal records after a period of time, went into effect Thursday. Daesche shared her long and difficult journey to expunge her criminal record and start a new life.
Under the new law, people convicted of certain low-level crimes don’t have to do anything but wait and not reoffend for five to seven years, depending on the severity of their offense. Those convicted of higher-level offenses can still apply for expungement, but they must wait longer after their conviction, and the process is not automatic.
They don’t see that she woke up at 5:30 a.m. every morning for months to catch the two buses and one train to get to treatment. Or that she showed up to drug court every Wednesday for more than a year, paid for weekly drug testing and struggled to find a good paying job, ultimately accepting a position that only paid $9 an hour.
Daeschel said the clean slate law “bridges that gap between rehabilitation and reintegration,” and will help reduce recidivism by opening up more opportunities for employment and housing. Amy Daeschel, center right, embraces Noella Sudbury, executive director of Clean Slate Utah, during a ceremony at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022.
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