Backlog Of Expungement Applications Cleared Following Legislative Amendments | RJR News
By Racquel Porter
Justice Minister Delroy Chuck says there is no longer a backlog of expungement applications following the recent amendments to the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Amendment Act, 2026.
Minister Chuck made the disclosure on Sunday at the Eastern Region Assize Church Service at East Queen Street Baptist Church in downtown Kingston, marking the start of the 2026 legal year.
The service, attended by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes and members of the legal fraternity, was held under the theme, ‘Embracing Justice: Restoring Righteousness and Hope’.
Minister Chuck said, along with the amendments, the number of persons serving on the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Board had increased from five to nine, with members meeting in teams of four or five to process applications.
“And so there’s no backlog now in expungement cases…. We have also increased where expungement is available if the sentence is less than ten years. And for non-custodial sentences, the likelihood is that further amendments will be made so that maybe after five years persons who commit no further offence and can be recommended as persons who have rehabilitated, can have their sentence or their crime record expunged,” he noted.
He said the changes are an invitation to offenders to plead guilty, bargain for a reduced or non-custodial sentence and subsequently have their records expunged.
“When you have committed a crime, the truth is it may be unfortunate, but you having committed it, then you must pay your dues and plea bargaining is an appropriate means to show that you really regret having done the crime, and therefore negotiate with the DPP an appropriate means, maybe a reduction in sentence. So in appropriate cases, the time has to be served. But to the extent that there can be non-custodial sentences, I urge the judges, if it is possible, and it is an appropriate case, that non-custodial sentences can be imposed,” he suggested.
The justice minister also urged the Jamaican Bar Association and the Advocates’ Association of Jamaica to encourage their members to advise clients accused of crimes to face the consequences of their actions.