Statute
Under AL ST§ 15-27-1 and 15-27-2, survivors of human trafficking may petition to expunge the records of any misdemeanor offense or non-violent felony. The law also allows survivors to apply to expunge records of three specific violent felony offenses: promoting prostitution in the first degree, domestic violence in the third degree or production of obscene matter involving a person under the age of 17 years.
Survivors must show that the offense occurred while they were a victim of trafficking and that they would not have committed the crime but for being trafficked. The law also makes clear that evidence of someone being prosecuted for trafficking can be included in an expungement petition but is not required.
Drafted Sept 2021
Reviewed Jan 2025