The shadow of a criminal conviction sometimes hangs over many of those sent to prison long after they have served their time. State Senator John Loudon of Ballwin does not think it should. He proposes a law keeping private businesses from finding out a person has a criminal record if that person has had no other trouble for ten years after completing a sentence. Those convicted of major crimes – drunk drivers and drug dealers – would not be included in his bill. Neither would those who committed youthful indiscreations with drugs. He’s not opposed to closing their records, too, but he knows his bill might not make it if he includes them. A Senate committee is considering whether to recommend passage of his bill.
