RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — New laws are taking effect in North Carolina to help more people convicted of lower-level crimes and nonviolent drug trafficking get their records cleared or punishments eased.
The “Second Chance Act” and “First Step Act” are among nearly a dozen state laws approved since 2019 by the General Assembly and taking effect fully or partially on Tuesday.
The First Step Act allows a judge to deviate from mandated prison sentences and hefty fines for drug-trafficking convictions if several conditions are met.
The Second Chance Act expands upon other criminal expunction options approved in recent years.
Other new laws address delivery robots and occupational licensing.
Latest headlines from FOX8
- Chance for snow late Wednesday night, early Thursday morning
- New program helping place women in educational leadership roles
- Sen. Tillis says impeaching Trump as a private citizen would set ‘dangerous precedent’
- Sen. Patrick Leahy taken to hospital
- 10-year-old girl at center of North Carolina Amber Alert found safe
