Dismissal of non-violent crimes (including felonies) from an individuals record after 5 years would give citizens a "new beginning" as well as minimize unnecessary judgement from Law Enforcement, potential employers and the community at large.
5 years poses a significant time frame in which an offender can pay their debt to society and ultimately earn "forgiveness" for the wrong-doing as opposed to being "haunted" by their past and labeled by society indefinitely for the remainder of their lives.
Granting dismissal of such convictions would not pose as an implication that the offender did or did not commit such a crime, however, it would offer each individual the opportunity to develop a successful life free from labels and "grudges".