The Impacts of Clean Slate Laws in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan

The Clean Slate Initiative is on a mission to pass and implement laws that automatically clear eligible records for individuals who have completed their sentences and remained crime-free. So far, Clean Slate laws have passed in twelve states, and three states have led the way with implementation: Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan, in 2019, 2020, and 2023, respectively. 

But what has been the real impact of these policies on the lives of people who live with a record?

To begin answering this question, CSI developed and commissioned a YouGov survey of 800 people with arrest and conviction records in these three states (58% in Pennsylvania, 30% in Michigan, and 12% in Utah) in collaboration with Dr. Nyron Crawford, Associate Professor of Political Science at Temple University. This survey provides critical insights into how these laws affect everyday lives, how aware those impacted by the legal system are about the Clean Slate law in their state, and the tangible benefits they experience as a result.

Read the full report below, and check the bottom of this page for a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Frequently Asked Questions About CSI's Survey Research

  • The survey aimed to assess the impact of having a record on individuals’ lives, their awareness of Clean Slate laws, and how those laws have benefited them. It focused on respondents in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan, where Clean Slate laws have taken effect, to gather real-time data and inform advocacy and policy improvement efforts.

  • The survey included 800 respondents, all of whom have arrest or conviction records. The participants were from Pennsylvania (58%), Michigan (30%), and Utah (12%), with a range of ages (19 to 89), a median age of 46 (SD=16), and a demographic breakdown that included 65% male and 35% female respondents. The majority of respondents (74%) identified as White, with 14% identifying as Black and 7% as Hispanic.

  • Respondents were invited to participate based on their eligibility (i.e. they answered yes to the question, “Not counting minor traffic violations, have you ever been arrested or booked for breaking a law as an adult (18+)? Being "booked" means that you were taken into custody and processed by police (e.g., fingerprinting) or by someone connected with the courts, even if you were then released”). YouGov administered the survey between December 2023 and January 2024. The survey used an opt-in online panel of respondents who were selected to match specific demographic categories such as gender, age, race, and education level, so the survey would reflect a diverse range of people.. The results were weighted to reflect the demographic composition of people with records in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Utah. The margins of error for the state-level samples were +/- 5.7% (Pennsylvania), +/- 7.3% (Michigan) and +/- 12.6% (Utah).

  • The survey focused on Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan, three states where Clean Slate laws have been implemented. These states began sealing records automatically in 2019 (Pennsylvania), 2020 (Utah), and 2023 (Michigan). The goal was to analyze the impact of Clean Slate policies in these early adopter states.

  • Among those who tried to determine their eligibility, 33% found it difficult to access information on waiting periods, and 29% struggled to find details about eligibility criteria. This highlights the need for clearer information and outreach about Clean Slate laws.

  • For those who were aware of their state’s Clean Slate law, the majority (52%) first heard about it through news media. Other sources included legal professionals (20%), family and friends (12%), and social media (8%).

  • The findings provide data-driven evidence on the challenges people with records face and how Clean Slate laws can address those barriers. This information helps inform policy improvements, advocacy efforts, and outreach strategies to ensure that more people benefit from Clean Slate and that the laws are effectively implemented.