Records that have been expunged pursuant to this chapter shall be released for use in a civil suit filed by a person for whom expungement was granted that is related to, or arising from, the arrest or conviction that was the subject of the expungement. Upon a request from any party for the release of any records that have been expunged, the court having jurisdiction over the pending civil matter shall hold an in camera hearing to determine the following:
(1) If the request has been made in good faith.
(2) The nature and scope of the requested records.
(3) The relevance of the requested records to the pending civil matter.
Upon the completion of the in camera review, the court shall make a determination in writing whether to release the expunged records. In no way shall the release of expunged records bear any weight as to their admissibility at trial with respect to the Alabama Rules of Evidence. This section is to be applied retroactively.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 15 - Criminal Procedure.
Section 15-27-2 - Petition to Expunge Records - Felony Offense.
Section 15-27-2.1 - Limitations on Number of Expungements Granted.
Section 15-27-3 - Submission of Sworn Statement and Records; Service.
Section 15-27-4 - Administrative Filing Fee; Indigency.
Section 15-27-5 - Objections; Hearing; Ruling.
Section 15-27-6 - Order of Expungement; Certification; Inspection of Expunged Records.
Section 15-27-8 - Records Forwarded to and Retained by Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.
Section 15-27-9 - Definitions.
Section 15-27-10 - Maintenance of Investigative Files, Reports, Case Files, Etc.
Section 15-27-11 - Personal Information Subject to Expungement.
Section 15-27-12 - Prerequisites to Expungement.
Section 15-27-13 - Annual Report.
Section 15-27-14 - Applicability - Alabama Securities Commission.
Section 15-27-15 - Applicability - Right to Ship, Transport, Possess, or Receive Firearm.
Section 15-27-16 - Disclosure of Information From Expunged File Without a Court Order; Liability.
Section 15-27-17 - Filing Under False Pretenses.
Section 15-27-18 - Applicants for Position in Law Enforcement, Etc.
Section 15-27-19 - Rulemaking Authority.
Section 15-27-20 - Release of Expunged Records for Use in Certain Civil Suits; Hearing.
Section 15-27-21 - Admissibility of Expungement Records in Criminal Trials.