does not have the erroneous arrest record removed, it can greatly affect his or her ability in
the future to get a job, a loan or certain licenses. This bill requires that a court shall expunge
the arrest and criminal records information of a person who was arrested as a result of
mistaken identity and who did not have charges filed against him or her.
"This is an incredible piece of legislation, and so many Coloradoans probably do not fully
understand or are unaware of the perils of having a wrongful arrest record," Charles Belk
said. "But even more incredible, as I travel from state to state, is to see the true advantage of
bipartisanship and how a body of elected officials can be so effective when they work together
across party lines, as was the case with this bill and members of the Colorado General
Assembly."
Four bills were introduced in 2016 in the Colorado General Assembly aimed at "rebuilding
trust" between police and the community, and have received bipartisan support, in an effort
organized by Rep. Angela Williams (D-Denver). The other three bills are - HB16-1264,
prohibiting the use of a chokehold unless self-defense; HB16-1263, expanding the definition
of profiling; and HB16-1262, addressing officers hiding a serious offense, resigning and
applying for a job with a different police force. " All four bills have passed both chambers, and
the #AutoErase Bill was the first to do so.
Fitting The Description, a 501.c.3, tax exempt, non-profit organization, was established to
help build awareness of wrongful detentions and arrests that occur each day because an
individual "fit the description." The organization helps educate and inform others about the
perils of wrongful arrests records, and advocates for alleviating the burden and costs incurred
by the innocent to remove those arrest records.
Charles Belk was born and raised in Durham, NC, and is a producer at and president of I Will
Make You a Star Productions, a Los Angeles-based, social/digital marketing and production
company. He is also the founder and executive director of Fitting The Description Inc. Charles
Belk is a graduate of Durham Hillside High School and received a BS in Electrical
Engineering from the University of Southern California, an MBA from Indiana University, and
an Executive Leadership Certificate from Harvard Business School.
Media Contact:
Mark Williams
Fitting The Description Inc.
PO Box 93181
Los Angeles, CA 90093
213-632-6390
mwilliams@fittingthedescription.org
http://www.fittingthedescription.org