Question

For the purposes of this section, "expunge"means:

(a) Expunction is done by ____ destroying such data or materials, or by sending all such material to ______ Court pursuant to a court order. Expunction of files will be done in compliance with Chapter 55 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and will include any record(s), arrest and identification files from any section which would have such files.

(b) Expunction procedures may relate to:

1. Arrest records which are indexed, accessed, and filed by individual name, and which are retrieved by reference to name (such as "rap sheets").

2. Any data or materials identifying an individual, such as fingerprints, fingerprint classifications, ______, or other items contained in an information system that are accessible by name, and which indicate any arrest or criminal offender information including, but not limited to, that contained in:

(a) Arrest index cards (Identification).

(b) Computer data banks known offender files.

Answer 1

The term 'expunge' in law refers to the process of destroying or completely removing certain data, such as criminal history records, in compliance with legal procedures to ensure past offenses do not affect one's future.

Step-by-step explanation:

The answer to your question regarding the meaning of "expunge" within a legal context is as follows. The term "expunge" typically refers to the legal process of destroying or completely removing certain data or materials from records, often related to one's criminal history. The process is carried out by physically destroying the records or by transferring them to the appropriate Court through a court order. This process is in accordance with Chapter 55 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which implies that all identifiable information relevant to any arrest records or criminal offenses must be expunged. This includes, but is not limited to, arrest index cards, fingerprints, and computer databases containing known offender information that are accessible by name. Expunction, therefore, helps in removing an individual's criminal history from public access and legal records, ensuring that their past offenses do not continue to affect their future.