Pubdate: Thu, 26 May 2005 Source: Burlington Times-News (NC) Copyright: 2005 The Times-News Publishing Company Contact: http://www.thetimesnews.com/letter_to_editor/splash.php Website: http://www.thetimesnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1822 Author: Barry Smith POLICE OPPOSE YOUTH BILL RALEIGH -- Legislation to give youthful offenders the chance to clear their criminal records has run into a stumbling block. Scott Perry of the Criminal Justice Standards Division, has written a letter to Rep. Alice Bordsen of Mebane, who sponsored the bill. In the letter, Perry expresses the commission's "strong opposition" to the bill. The bill, prompted by the arrest of dozens of students in a February 2004 undercover drug bust in the Alamance-Burlington schools, would allow a person who was younger than 18 at the time of the offense to have his or her record wiped clean, following some provisions. Supporters of the bill say that it's important to provide youthful offenders with an opportunity for redemption, an incentive to turn their lives around. "These are minors," Bordsen said. "People make mistakes when they are minors. People do stupid things when they are minors." Brian Lewis of the Covenant With North Carolina's Children said lawmakers will have to decide if young people should get such a reward if they turn their lives around. "Or do they think this should follow their lives for 30 years?" Lewis said. In his letter, Perry cautioned lawmakers about standards set for law enforcement officers in the state, noting that one standard is that a criminal justice officer cannot have been convicted of a felony. Bordsen's bill "would not only allow such applicants to have a single felony conviction expunged, but multiple felony convictions could be expunged if the person is convicted in the same session of court," Perry's letter says. John Glenn, a former Burlington police chief who chairs the commission, said the problem the commission had with the bill had to do with who the state will allow to wear a police uniform. "Do you want a police officer out there who has committed a felony?" Glenn asked. Bordsen said that in 47 states, where 16- and 17-yearolds are not treated as adults in the court system, such records are already expunged. Rep. Stephen LaRoque, RLenoir, said he opposes the bill. "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime," he said. Lewis said that supporters will check with members of the House Finance Committee -- where the bill now resides -- to gauge support. Glenn said that he didn't have any qualms with Bordsen's intent with the bill. "It sounds good and it's a dogood thing," he said. "She needs to narrow her scope down a little bit more." Under the bill, youthful offenders would not be able to get their records wiped clean for more serious offenses, such as murder, rape, kidnapping and large drug trafficking convictions. In addition, violent acts and assaults or sex crimes would not qualify. - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)