Bill would erase records of crimes ending in deferred sentences
PROVIDENCE, R.I. --Some lawmakers are pushing a bill to automatically destroy public records of crimes that resulted in deferred sentences.
The destruction would occur when the deferral period ended. The bill is aimed at reversing a recent court ruling.
Pawtucket Democratic Rep. J. Patrick O'Neill says those given deferred sentences have already accepted responsibility for their mistakes.
Attorney General Patrick Lynch says wiping out the history of violent crimes is a bad idea since it could allow admitted criminals to tell employers they've never been convicted.
He says that undermines the system of background checks.
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Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.projo.com/ 