Sealing youth offender records brings 'chance at a new life'

In June, youth advocates testified during a hearing of the Senate Public Safety Committee in support of Assembly Bill 1006, which would require court and probation officers to inform youth offenders that they have the right to seal their criminal records -- and how to go about it.  David Cunningham spoke at the hearing, explaining that his youth record kept him jobless after turning eighteen, until through word of mouth he discovered he could start again with a clean slate.  Read his commentary on Richmond Pulse.