By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey officials have reached an agreement to accelerate the processing of expungement orders, ensuring individuals granted a second chance can fully benefit from cleared records.
The settlement, announced by Governor Phil Murphy, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), and the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), aims to prevent future backlogs and improve the efficiency of the expungement process. 
According to a statement released by the New Jersey Attorney General, the agreement follows successful mediation and builds on previous consent orders issued in 2024.
The final consent order is expected to be formalized within 30 days.
As part of the resolution, NJSP has committed to clearing all outstanding expungement orders more than 120 days old by June 1, 2025.
Moving forward, NJSP will process most new judicial expungement orders within 120 days of receipt, with efforts to complete them within 90 days whenever possible.
In cases requiring additional information or amended orders, NJSP will request necessary changes within 120 days and complete processing within 15 days of receiving the corrected information.
To ensure compliance, Justice Jaynee LaVecchia, a retired New Jersey Supreme Court associate justice, and OPD will receive regular reports for 18 months, many of which will be made publicly available.
If NJSP demonstrates consistent compliance, the case will be dismissed with prejudice.
To improve transparency, NJSP has also launched an online expungement portal at expungement.njsp.gov.
Individuals can register through myNewJersey to check the status of their expungement orders and receive email updates.
Governor Murphy emphasized the importance of a swift and efficient expungement process as part of the state's Second Chances agenda.
Attorney General Platkin expressed gratitude to all parties involved, stating that everyone deserves a second chance and that the state is committed to ensuring the new timelines are met. 
Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, highlighted NJSP’s technological advancements in processing expungements and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to clearing records efficiently.
The agreement marks a significant step in improving the state's expungement system, reducing barriers for individuals seeking employment, housing, and reintegration into society.