A local man shares his story of having a criminal record and reacting to the criminal record relief bill
A new bill in California will help more than a million people gain eligibility to have old conviction records sealed.
It's called the "Criminal Record Relief."
The Criminal Record Relief Bill, also known as SB 731, automatically seals non-violent, non-serious, non-sexual felony convictions that did result in serving time.
Once a person has fully completed their sentence and successfully gone four years without further contact with the justice system -- their record will be sealed.
It also allows people convicted of more serious felonies to petition a judge to have their old conviction sealed.
Records of arrests that don't bring convictions also would be sealed. The bill signed by Governor Newsom went into effect on July 1st, 2023.
A local man served 18 years in prison and may now be eligible to have his record sealed. He says that he advocated for it but that he doesn't let his record define him.
Sonny Von Cleveland did his time and changed his life. Von Cleveland's last day in prison was August 16th, 2016. He has been touring as a motivational speaker to youth and adults. He says he is passionate about healing trauma for those who are hurting so that they will never experience what he has, but he uses his past as motivation to teach people that a person can change. He is a local business owner alongside his wife in Palm Springs. He is also an author of a novel that is live on his website to preorder; it is called Hey, White Boy: Conversations of Redemption.
New Channel 3 reached out to local law enforcement to hear their perspective of SB 731.
Statement from the Palm Springs Police Department:
"As a police agency, we will continue to fulfill our duty to enforce the law and work in compliance with the provisions set forth by SB 731. We remain committed to ensuring public safety and upholding the laws of our state." Gustavo M. Araiza | Lieutenant
Statement from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department:
"The current legislature is hell bent on destroying our communities. One thing you will not find them doing is passing a victim relief bill. They coddle criminals at the expense of law-abiding residents." - Chad Bianco, Sheriff.
