CRIMINAL RECORD EXPUNGEMENT CHANGES

HB 331 amends New Mexico's criminal record expungement law to allow individuals charged with a domestic violence crime to request removal of their arrest and public records immediately after being acquitted or having the case dismissed with prejudice. The bill requires courts to complete expungement within 30 days of the order and prohibits any fees for submitting requests or processing the expungement. This change directly affects people cleared of domestic violence charges, such as assault or battery against a household member, making it easier to clear records without waiting periods. The bill also clarifies the definition of "domestic violence crime" to include specific offenses like assault against household members under state law.