NewsSportsEntertainmentLifestyleOpinionUSA TODAYObituariesE-EditionLegals Governor signs bill removing criminal-record checkboxes from state college applications Advocates argued applicants still had to acknowledge a history even if that was only a speeding ticket. They claim it removes a barrier to education, which in turn reduces possible returns to prison. The Progress-Index DINWIDDIE — Even though she does not have a criminal background, Lane Everett admitted to getting a case of the jitters when she applied to the University of Virginia and saw the little checkbox asking if she had a record. "I think it's a very intimidating question," the Dinwiddie High School senior said. "Not specifically for me, but I feel like it's definitely unfair on an application for people who are seeking education."