2019 Massachusetts General Laws
Part IV - Crimes, Punishments and Proceedings in Criminal Cases
Title II - Proceedings in Criminal Cases
Chapter 276 - Search Warrants, Rewards, Fugitives From Justice, Arrest, Examination, Commitment and Bail. Probation Officers and Board of Probation
Section 100f - Petition for Expungement of Record as Adjudicated Delinquent or Youthful Offender
Section 100F. (a) A petitioner who has a record as an adjudicated delinquent or adjudicated youthful offender may, on a form furnished by the commissioner and signed under the penalties of perjury, petition that the commissioner expunge the record. Upon receipt of a petition for an expungement, the commissioner shall certify whether the petitioner is eligible for an expungement under sections 100I and 100J. If the petitioner is not eligible for an expungement under sections 100I and 100J the commissioner shall, within 60 days of the request, deny the request in writing. If the petitioner is eligible for an expungement under sections 100I and 100J the commissioner shall, within 60 days of the petition, notify in writing the district attorney of the petition and that the petitioner is eligible for an expungement under sections 100I and 100J. Within 60 days of receipt of notification from the commissioner of the filing of the petition and that petitioner is eligible for an expungement pursuant to sections 100I and 100J, the district attorney shall notify the commissioner in writing of their objections, if any, to the petition.
(b) Upon receipt of a response from the district attorney, if any, or within 65 days of the commissioner's notification to the district attorney pursuant to subsection (a), whichever occurs first, the commissioner shall forthwith forward the petition, along with the objections of the district attorney, if any, to the court wherein the petitioner was adjudicated delinquent or adjudicated a youthful offender.
(c) If the district attorney files an objection with the commissioner within 60 days of receipt of notification as provided in subsection (a) the court shall, within 21 days of receipt of the petition pursuant to subsection (b), conduct a hearing on the petition. The court shall have the discretion to grant or deny the petition based on what is in the best interests of justice and shall enter written findings as to the basis of its order. The court shall deny any petition that does not meet the requirements of sections 100I and 100J.
(d) If the district attorney does not file an objection with the commissioner within 60 days of receipt of notification as provided in subsection (a) the court may approve the petition without a hearing. The court shall have the discretion to grant or deny the petition based on what is in the best interests of justice and shall enter written findings as to the basis of its order. The court shall deny any petition that does not meet the requirements of sections 100I and 100J.
(e) The court shall forward an order for expungement pursuant to this section forthwith to the clerk of the court where the criminal record was created, to the commissioner and to the commissioner of criminal justice information services appointed pursuant to section 167A of chapter 6.
