Section 10-103.1 - Expungement of police records after release without charge.
§ 10-103.1. Expungement of police records after release without charge.
(a) In general.- For arrests or confinements occurring on or after October 1, 2007, a person who is arrested or confined by a law enforcement unit and then is released without being charged with the commission of a crime is entitled to expungement of all police records, including photographs and fingerprints, relating to the matter.
(b) Duties of law enforcement unit after release.- Within 60 days after release of a person entitled to expungement of a police record under subsection (a) of this section, the law enforcement unit shall:
(1) search diligently for and expunge each police record about the arrest or confinement of the person; and
(2) send a notice of expungement containing all relevant facts about the expungement and underlying arrest or confinement to:
(i) the Central Repository;
(ii) each booking facility or law enforcement unit that the law enforcement unit believes may have a police record about the arrest or confinement; and
(iii) the person entitled to expungement.
(c) Duties of law enforcement unit after notice.- Within 60 days after receipt of the notice, the Central Repository, a booking facility, and any other law enforcement unit shall:
(1) search diligently for and expunge each police record about the arrest or confinement of the person; and
(2) advise in writing the person entitled to expungement of compliance with the order.
(d) Expungement by obliteration.-
(1) A police record expunged under this section may not be expunged by obliteration until 3 years after the date of expungement.
(2) During the 3-year period described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the records shall be removed to a separate secure area to which persons who do not have a legitimate reason for access are denied access.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, a legitimate reason for accessing the records includes using the records for purposes of proceedings relating to the arrest.
(e) Remedies for failure to expunge.- If a law enforcement unit, a booking facility, or the Central Repository fails to expunge a police record as required under subsection (b) or (c) of this section, the person entitled to expungement may:
(1) seek redress by means of any appropriate legal remedy; and
(2) recover court costs.
(f) Waiver of fee or costs.- A person who is entitled to expungement under this section may not be required to pay any fee or costs in connection with the expungement.
[2007, ch. 63.]