DeSantis vetoes bill that would’ve helped more minors expunge criminal records

ORLANDO, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill that would have helped thousands of juvenile offenders clear their criminal records.

State law currently allows juveniles who complete diversion programs to request their arrest records be expunged for first-time misdemeanor offenses only. The bill would have expanded that to include felonies.

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The bill glided through the legislative process without a single no vote.

But DeSantis vetoed the bill this week.

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In a letter, he wrote, “I have concerns that the unfettered ability to expunge serious felonies, including sexual battery, from a juvenile’s record may have negative impacts on public safety.”