Czaja Plans Bill Purging Court Records For Young People Charged With Some Crimes

Before passing a state budget bill this week, Wisconsin legislators removed language that would have allowed the deletion of incriminating information from the state’s court access web site. But supporters of the measure say they’ll continue to push for the change.

The measure called for purging records from the Consolidated Court Automation Programs website, commonly called CCAP, for charges against people 25 years or younger if the case was dismissed before trial. It would have only affected charges for crimes that carried a penalty of six years or less.

The measure had bipartisan support. Republican Rep. Mary Czaja said she’s disappointed the GOP leadership pulled it from the budget.

“Because those CCAP records are out there for public view and employers, future landlords go out there and see that, whether it’s dismissed or not and they’re prejudging these young people before they really have an opportunity to prove themselves,” Czaja said.

She said she’s working on a bill that would allow the records to be removed. Open records advocates oppose the change arguing all court records should remain public.