Bill to erase felonies would put state at risk
Felony erasure bills sponsored by Sen. Doug Berger, D-Franklin, and others would erase the conviction record of 16- and 17-year-old criminals statewide who commit Class H and I felonies. The legislation would hide these convictions from public scrutiny, putting our schools, places of work and our communities at severe risk.
The N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts estimates thousands of convicted felons will apply to have their criminal records erased.
A crime of "youthful indiscretion" might warrant a second chance. But consider the following felonies that are eligible to be erased:
Third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor; soliciting sex with a minor via computer; distributing drug paraphernalia to minors; domestic abuse, neglect, exploitation of disabled or elder adults; possessing stolen property; using drugs or instruments to destroy an unborn child; larceny of property worth more than $1,000; breaking and entering; forgery; larceny of a firearm; receiving or possessing a stolen firearm; possessing a firearm on school property; looting; cross burning.
Are these petty "youthful indiscretions"? Certainly not. The victims know these are adult crimes.
Contact your senator and tell them that Sen. Doug Berger's felony erasure law and similar laws are bad laws and not good for North Carolina.
Chuck Stires
Youngsville
The writer is a member of N.C. Citizens for Accountable Government.