The 2026 Second Chance Index
How New Jersey ranks for second chances
New Jersey ranks 17th of 51 (tied) in the 2026 Second Chance Index, scoring 72 out of 100 for clearing a record, voting rights and where its felony line falls. That's 10.5 points above the median state (61.5). It shares the rank with Indiana.
Built from New Jersey's record-clearing, voting and felony-class records, last checked October 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
72 out of 100
- Clearing a record
- 38 / 50
- Voting rights
- 22 / 30
- Where the felony line falls
- 12 / 20
Every point New Jersey earned and missed
Each line is a field we publish about New Jersey, checked against state law and official guidance. The points are the index's; the method lists every one.
Clearing a record
38 of 50 points| What we score | New Jersey | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Some records clear automatically | Limited automatic clearing | 10/15 |
| A general route to clear a felony | Yes | 12/12 |
| A general route to clear a misdemeanor | Yes | 8/8 |
| A way to clear a case with no conviction | Yes | 8/8 |
| A fee waiver on at least one route | None found | 0/4 |
| A DUI conviction can be cleared | No | 0/3 |
Voting rights
22 of 30 points| What we score | New Jersey | Points |
|---|---|---|
| When the vote comes back after a felony | After prison | 22/30 |
Where the felony line falls
12 of 20 points| What we score | New Jersey | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Theft becomes a felony at | $200 | 2/10 |
| Repeat DUI becomes a felony | No repeat-offense felony | 10/10 |
Where the 28 missing points are
- 8When the vote comes back after a felony: After prison
- 8Theft becomes a felony at: $200
- 5Some records clear automatically: Limited automatic clearing
- 4A fee waiver on at least one route: None found
- 3A DUI conviction can be cleared: No
The index scores what state law says, not how courts apply it. A lower score doesn't mean New Jersey offers no relief; its pages list every route.
States ranked near New Jersey
- #16Missouri72.5
- #17Indiana72
- #17New Jersey72
- #19Massachusetts71.5
- #20Oregon70
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "How New Jersey ranks for second chances" https://secondchanceindex.com/state-rankings/new-jersey, checked October 29, 2026.