CERTIFICATE OF RELIEF ACT (NEW).

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View NCGA Bill Details2011-2012 Session
House Bill 641 (Public) Filed Tuesday, April 5, 2011
TO ESTABLISH A CERTIFICATE OF RESTORATION OF RIGHTS THAT WILL ASSIST INDIVIDUALS CONVICTED OF LESS SERIOUS CRIMES IN DEALING WITH COLLATERAL SANCTIONS AND DISQUALIFICATIONS THAT RESULT FROM A CRIMINAL CONVICTION AND A PROCEDURE FOR ISSUING THAT CERTIFICATE.
Intro. by Guice, Floyd.

Status: Ch. SL 2011-265 (House Action) (Jun 23 2011)
H 641/S.L. 2011-265

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Jun 30 2011 - View Summary

    AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A CERTIFICATE OF RELIEF THAT WILL ASSIST INDIVIDUALS CONVICTED OF LESS SERIOUS CRIMES IN DEALING WITH COLLATERAL SANCTIONS AND DISQUALIFICATIONS THAT RESULT FROM A CRIMINAL CONVICTION AND A PROCEDURE FOR ISSUING THAT CERTIFICATE. Summarized in Daily Bulletin 4/5/11 and 6/2/11. Enacted June 23, 2011. Effective December 1, 2011.


  • Summary date: Jun 2 2011 - View Summary

    House committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition. Amends proposed Article 6 of GS Chapter 15A, changing the title of the Article to Certificate of Relief (was, Certificate of Restoration of Rights). Makes conforming changes throughout proposed Article 6, replacing all references to a Certificate of Restoration of Rights with Certificate of Relief. Also clarifies that the relief permitted in this Article relieves collateral consequences as the term is defined in the Article and that collateral consequence encompasses a collateral sanction or a disqualification.
    Adds a definition for district attorney as it applies in this Article. Provides that an individual may petition the court where the individual was convicted for a Certificate of Relief to relieve the collateral consequences (was, collateral sanctions) of the conviction if the individual: (1) is convicted of no more than two Class G, H, or I felonies or misdemeanors in one session of court (was, no more than two convictions higher than a Class G felony) and (2) has no other convictions for a felony or a misdemeanor other than a traffic violation.
    Requires that a petition for a Certificate of Relief is to be heard by a senior superior court judge if the convictions were in superior court or by the chief district court judge if the convictions were in district court. Permits the senior resident superior court judge and chief district court judge in each district to delegate their authority to hold hearings regarding Certificates of Relief to judges, clerks, or magistrates in that district.
    Clarifies that a Certificate of Relief (1) does not relieve sanctions imposed by the North Carolina Constitution, (2) does not expunge any criminal history record information, (3) does not constitute a pardon, and (4) does not automatically relieve a disqualification. Provides that an administrative agency, governmental official, or court in a civil proceeding may favorably consider a Certificate of Relief in determining whether a conviction should result in disqualification. Prohibits issuing a Certificate of Relief to relieve (1) any statutory requirements or prohibitions imposed as a result of registration under Article 27A of GS Chapter 14 or (2) the prohibitions on the possession of firearms imposed by Articles 54A and 54B of GS Chapter 14, in addition to other sanctions included in previous edition. Provides that district attorney includes any district attorney authorized under GS 7A-60.
    Amends provisions regarding the issuance, modification, and revocation of a Certificate of Relief to (1) also require the court to notify the district attorney at least three weeks before the hearing on a petition for a Certificate of Relief takes place and (2) allow a court to modify or revoke (was, restrict or revoke) a Certificate of Relief issued by that court if the court finds just cause by a preponderance of the evidence. Clarifies that just cause does not include a traffic violation.
    Makes additional clarifying changes. Amends the title to better reflect the bill content.


  • Summary date: Apr 5 2011 - View Summary

    Adds new Article 6 to GS Chapter 15A, Certification of Restoration of Rights, as the title indicates. Permits an individual meeting the following conditions to petition the court where the individual was convicted for a Certificate of Restoration of Rights (Certificate) that relieves collateral sanctions as permitted by this proposed Article; the individual must: (1) have no other record of a criminal conviction; (2) have been convicted of no more than two charges in one session of court; and (3) not have a conviction higher than a Class G felony. Authorizes the Chief Judge in each district to delegate the authority to issue, modify, or revoke Certificates of Restoration of Rights to judges, clerks, or magistrates in that district. Requires the person petitioning for the Certificate to establish specified factors by a preponderance of the evidence and requires the court to additionally review the petition, the individual’s criminal history, any filing by a victim under GS 15A-173.6 or the appropriate district attorney’s office, and any other relevant evidence.
    Requires the Certificate to specify any restrictions imposed on the petitioner and collateral sanctions from which relief has not been granted. Provides criteria under which an issued Certificate may be revoked. Requires that the denial of a petition is to state the reasons for the denial and provides the individual the right to file a subsequent petition 12 months from the date of the denial in which the petitioner must demonstrate that the petitioner has remedied the defects in the previous petition in order to have the petition granted.
    Enumerates collateral sanctions that cannot be relieved by the issuance of a Certificate of Restoration of Rights, which include (1) requirements imposed by Article 27A (Sex Offender and Public Protection Registration Programs) of GS Chapter 14, (2) a motor vehicle license suspension, revocation, limitation, or ineligibility imposed under GS Chapter 20; and (3) ineligibility for employment in certain law enforcement, corrections, or prosecutorial jobs because of a sanction imposed by a statute or session law of North Carolina.
    Provides criteria regarding the issuance, modification, and revocation of a Certificate. Requires the court to notify the district attorney’s office that prosecuted the case giving rise to the collateral consequences for which relief is sought. Allows the court to issue a Certificate subject to restrictions, conditions, or added requirements. Provides that the issuance, modification, and revocation of Certificates are a public record.
    Provides that in a judicial or administrative proceeding alleging negligence, a Certificate is a bar to any action alleging lack of due care in transacting business or engaging in activity with the individual to whom the Certificate was issued, if the person attempting to allege lack of due care knew of the Certificate at the time of the alleged negligence.
    Provides that the victim of the underlying offense for which the Certificate is sought may participate in the proceeding for issuance, modification, or revocation of the Certificate. Directs the Victim Witness Coordinator in the office of original prosecution to provide notification to the victim.
    Provides definitions as they apply in this proposed Article.
    Effective December 1, 2011.