NY Senate Leader Backs Expunging Criminal Records in Marijuana Legalization | New York Law Journal  Law.comThe leader of the New York State Senate said Wednesday that she would prefer low-level marijuana-related criminal records to be expunged, rather than sealed ...

Bill proposes to seal non-violent, weed-related federal crime records  Pittsburgh Post-GazetteA bipartisan coalition in the U.S. Congress wants to give a second chance to Americans arrested for non-violent federal crimes related to possession of ...

Left and Right Agree on Criminal Justice: They Were Both Wrong Before  The New York TimesIn a new report, Democrats and Republicans denounced the “tough on crime” approach as unsparingly as they once promoted it.

New Marijuana Legalization Bill Proposes Expungement of Records, Assembly Leader Says | New York Law Journal  Law.comAssembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes D-Buffalo told reporters at the state Capitol on Tuesday that she's planning to introduce a bill later this week ...

Undoing the Damage of the Drug War  Rolling StoneA criminal record, even for something as seemingly minor as weed possession, can serve as a lifelong stain, preventing someone from getting a job, a house, ...

Bill may seal pot-related federal crime records  Mail TribuneA bipartisan coalition in Congress wants to give a second chance to Americans arrested for nonviolent federal crimes related to possession of marijuana. Rep.

Your Illinois News Radar » About that expungement issue  The Capitol Fax BlogTuesday, May 21, 2019. * From the other day… A Republican state senator on Wednesday suggested that Illinois' Democratic governor issue a mass pardon of ...

Two bills aim to help remove certain marijuana charges from criminal records  WGMEAUGUSTA (WGME) -- Two bills in front of the judicial committee of the Maine legislature would change the criminal records of Mainers who have certain ...

Rap Sheet Day helps Chicagoans clear past offenses from their criminal records  WLS-TVCHICAGO (WLS) -- Thursday is Rap Sheet Day in Chicago, a day where people with marijuana and other expungable offenses work to get their rap sheets ...

New bill could make it easier to clean nonviolent offenses off your record  The News JournalU.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester has a bill that would make it easier for nonviolent offenses to be sealed — sometimes without the person having to ask.

More Of That, Please: From Giving Criminal Records To Expunging Them  WGLT NewsEvery week or so on GLT's The Leadoff podcast, we'll bring you the story of an unsung community servant who's making Bloomington-Normal a better place. It.

A Second Chance for Trafficking Survivors: Advocates Work to Clear Their Records  CBN NewsTrafficking advocates say one of the best ways to give victims a true second chance is through a legal tool known as vacatur--which completely erases any ...

Cummings, Nadler, Bass, and Booker Reintroduce the Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment Act  LasentinelWashington, D.C. (April 30, 2019) – Today, Representatives Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform; Jerrold Nadler ...

ACLU Study Finds D.C.'s Black Residents Arrested At Higher Rate For Largely Minor Offenses  WAMU 88.5Updated 3:20 p.m.. Black D.C. residents represent 47% of the city's population, but a new report from the ACLU of D.C. found that from 2013 to 2017, 86% of ...

Federal: The Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act - NORML - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws  NORML BlogSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Majority Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries introduced the Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act, to remove ...

Clean Slate Act Would Seal Marijuana Possession Convictions  ReasonPlus: marijuana in the 2020 election, Harris follows up on voting behind bars, another Palm Beach massage arrest, and more...

Pardons for low-level pot convictions suggested at Senate panel hearing  The State Journal-RegisterA Republican state senator on Wednesday suggested that Illinois' Democratic governor issue a mass pardon of all low-level marijuana convictions to relieve ...

Rap Sheet Day Looks to Help Formerly Incarcerated  Chicago DefenderIn 1991, Otis Monroe founded the Monroe Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to educate, link and fund development projects within low-income ...

Colorado House passes bill to reform criminal justice system, give people a second chance  Greeley TribuneThe Colorado House approved Friday a bipartisan bill sponsored by Judiciary Committee Chair Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, to broaden access to record sealing.

Help former inmates get jobs  Pittsburgh Post-GazetteMeaningful criminal justice reform is within Pennsylvania's grasp.

Center for Justice Reform receives grant to support expungement clinics  vtdigger.orgNews Release — Vermont Law School May 21, 2019. Contact: John Miller press@vermontlaw.edu (802) 831-1000. Get all of VTDigger's daily news.

GUEST COLUMN: Bipartisanship and consensus defined 2019 Legislature | Columnists  Colorado Springs GazetteI have spent my entire legislative career working across the aisle to improve the lives of all Coloradans, particularly the people of my district in Colorado Springs.

Desperate for workers, Pennsylvania employers look behind bars  Allentown Morning CallWith Pennsylvania's unemployment numbers at a record low, employers are holding job fairs at an unusual place: inside state prisons.

Judge to rule next week whether to open ‘Empire’ actor Jussie Smollett’s case to public  Chicago Sun-TimesA Cook County judge on Thursday said he would rule next week whether to make files in “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett's now dismissed criminal case public.

Capitol Review: Criminal justice reforms address prison overcrowding, economic inequities  The Colorado IndependentEditor's note: The Indy is publishing a series of stories reviewing the 2019 legislative session in Colorado. Here, we focus on criminal justice. Other stories ...

Helping those with a criminal record brings advocates to the capitol  WILX-TVLANSING, MI (WILX) - On Wednesday, a coalition came to the state capitol to educate legislators on the lifetime consequences of a criminal conviction.

'Black and brown' leaders: 'We can do more together than we can do apart'  Chicago Sun-TimesOn its face, a presentation this week by lawmakers and community groups seeking funding for community-based legal services for the poor seemed ...

Expungement And Sealing Of Records Help Ex-Criminals Return To Work  NPRA criminal conviction can present obstacles to everything from jobs to housing. Since 2017, more than 20 states have expanded or added laws that help people ...

Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act introduced to federally decriminalize cannabis  PotNetworkTwo companion bills were introduced Monday, the goal of which is to remove marijuana from the U.S. Department of Justice Controlled Substances list.

Marijuana legalization must benefit those disproportionately hurt by past drug laws  Binghamton University Pipe DreamAs the legalization of recreational marijuana in New York state is starting to seem less like a liberal's far-reaching wet dream and more imminent as the year ...

The Case for Expunging Criminal Records  The New York TimesA new study shows the benefits of giving people a clean slate.

Here Are Colorados Newest Criminal Justice Laws  Patch.comHere Are Colorado's Newest Criminal Justice Laws - Across Colorado, CO - Criminal justice reforms address prison overcrowding, economic inequities in 2019 ...

Clear your name  Chicago ReaderYou may have had a marijuana-related arrest, charge, or even sentence years ago and feel that your past is behind you. Perhaps you were arrested as a ...

Desperate for workers, employers look behind bars  Midland Daily NewsFRACKVILLE, Pa. (AP) — Ask Steven Blazer what kind of employee he's looking for, and the staffing agency manager rattles off a list: Someone who will show ...

Expungement clinics helping those with cannabis convictions  San Diego CityBEATWithin the past several years, California has attempted to offer relief to individuals with convictions for low-level crimes such as cannabis possession.

'A little darker than we were before': Florida public records exemptions further limit access  Tallahassee.comA rundown of the public records exemptions that passed and failed this legislative session.

Criminal record holders are being encouraged to seek sealing orders, expungement  Dorchester ReporterLast year's reform law expanded process Massachusetts residents with a history of criminal activity or court appearances are increasingly seeking to seal or, ...

RCSD special education teacher with abusive history in Las Vegas lied on job application  Rochester Democrat and ChronicleJames Doran, the special education teacher whom the Rochester City School District hired despite a previous conviction of battery of a child in a Nevada ...

12 pounds of cocaine, 15 pounds of marijuana seized at Metairie apartment  NOLA.comJPSO narcotics detectives also seized more than 152 grams of heroin and 8800 tablets of Ecstasy.

COMMENTARY: Helping Nevada’s human trafficking survivors to be truly free  Las Vegas Review-JournalI was preparing for my first day of training as a cashier at a casino when the company called and told me not to show up after all.

There’s No Such Thing as Expunging a Criminal Record Anymore  SlateYou're arrested. It's a mistake and it's expunged. But your mug shot is still online for everyone to find.

California Bill Would Seal 8 Million Criminal Convictions  Capital Public Radio News(AP) — A Northern California lawmaker and district attorney announced Thursday a proposed law that would automatically clear some 8 million criminal ...

Free criminal record expungement, sealing clinic in Cairo  KFVSAttorneys will be available to assist eligible low-income Illinois residents, with qualifying adult misdemeanor and felony criminal records, apply to have their ...

People with five felonies could have records sealed under new Ohio expungement law  NewsChannel 5 Cleveland - newsnet5.comA new Ohio expungement law that quietly went into effect last week gives people with five felonies a chance to seal their criminal records. The changes-- a direct ...

Editorial: Dont let Florida lawmakers seal criminal records, hide from the public  Palm Beach PostA sneaky measure making its way through the Florida House of Representatives would require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to ...

California bill seeks to automatically seal 8M criminal records  UPI NewsA proposal making its way through the California Assembly would automatically seal low-level criminal records.

Can a Criminal Record Ever Be Fully Expunged?  Pacific StandardEven if a record is officially wiped clean, it's legal for criminal justice agencies and other websites to keep criminal records online.

Woman in gun case asks for release from detention  Rutland HeraldA local woman who was arraigned last month for trafficking drugs with a gun that was later allegedly used to wound a decorated New York City Police detective ...

Campaign Ads: Queens District Attorney Candidates Provide Video Evidence  Gotham Gazette(l-r)Tiffany Cabán, Melinda Katz, Rory Lancman, Greg Lasak, Betty Lugo, Mina Malik, & Jose Nieves. There is just over a month till the June 25 Democratic ...

If you have an old criminal record, today you can finally get a Clean Slate in Pa.  Philly.comPennsylvania's Clean Slate law, among the nation's most progressive, begins its roll-out Wednesday.

This New Bill Would Give a Fresh Start to Millions of Cannabis Convicts in America  CivilizedIf passed, a new bill filed in the House of Representative this week would automatically seal some federal marijuana convictions. Under the new bill, individuals ...

Rap Sheets Haunt Former Inmates. California May Change That.  The New York TimesA proposed law would make California the first state to automatically seal from public view the criminal records of people with misdemeanor or lower-level felony ...

California bill would seal millions of criminal records to help former offenders find work | TheHill  The HillA bill recently introduced in California's legislature would seal millions of criminal convictions, a move that could help low-level offenders find work, housing and ...

A human scalp found in a FoodSaver bag baffled police. Now, a grandmother has been charged with murder.  The Washington PostIn January 2012, a man walking down a narrow country road in Dover Township, Pa., made a nightmarish discovery. Seven years later, police have linked it to ...

Criminal Convictions Behind Them, Few Have Had Their Records Sealed  The New York TimesA recent New York State law allows people convicted of certain crimes to hide the record from public view. So far, only 346 records have been sealed.

Clean Slate program gives people with old criminal records chance to seal records  The TimesPeople with old criminal records may have a chance at *fresh* start through new state legislation that recently went into effect.

Simotas to introduce legislation to improve "Raise the Age" criminal record sealing law  QNS.comAssemblywoman Aravella Simotas announced she is introducing legislation to correct a shortcoming in the record sealing law enacted last year as part of New ...

From bail reform to restoring voting rights and sealing records, Colorado's criminal justice system is getting a makeover  The Colorado SunIf all the criminal justice measures are ultimately signed into law, the slate of bills would represent a significant and fast-moving overhaul of Colorado's justice ...

GUEST EDITORIAL: Don’t let Florida lawmakers seal criminal records, hide from the public  The Northwest Florida Daily NewsA sneaky measure making its way through the Florida House of Representatives would require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to ...

Bill Seeks To Help Seal Criminal Records After Time Is Served  Patch.comBill Seeks To Help Seal Criminal Records - Littleton, CO - "At some point, I think the concept of punishment is supposed to be finite."

4 Things to look for in a PCRA lawyer  Conservative Daily NewsNo justice system is perfect. No matter how trial court judges do their best to stay impartial and to consider all laws for particular cases, it is human nature to have ...

Automatic Sealing? Expungement? As They Legalize Marijuana, New York Lawmakers Negotiate Clearing Criminal Records  Gotham GazetteMayor de Blasio discusses marijuana policy (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayor's Office). New York seems poised to enact the country's first automatic ...

New Clean Slate Law allows sealing of certain criminal cases  WPVI-TVCertain Pennsylvania residents who've run afoul of the law will start the new year with a clean slate.

Why Expungement Lawyers Are Important  Women FitnessWhy Expungement Lawyers Are Important : Have you ever made a mistake, suffered the consequences but years later, feel like your life has never moved ...

North Dakota House passes pair of record-sealing bills  Bismarck TribuneThe North Dakota House passed a pair of bills allowing for sealing criminal records of DUIs and other offenses Wednesday in what lawmakers pitched as an ...

Macon County record sealing, expungement summit gives residents hope for second chances  Herald & ReviewDECATUR — Weston Stephens is looking for a new beginning, and after Saturday, he's hoping that he's a few steps closer to getting one.

York City council woman pushes ‘Pardon Me’ event  WPMT FOX 43YORK - York City Councilwoman Edquina Washington wants ex-felons to know their knows rights once they return home from prison. So, Washington is holding ...

Wolf Signs Bill Sealing Some Criminal Records After Decade  U.S. News & World ReportHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Lower-level, nonviolent crimes in Pennsylvania will automatically be sealed from public review after 10 years under a law signed ...

Arkansas Bill Would Automatically Seal Some Criminal Records  U.S. News & World ReportLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas lawmaker is proposing that some non-violent offenders be allowed to have their criminal records automatically sealed, ...

Manhattan DA joins push to help qualified nonviolent offenders seal their criminal records  New York Daily NewsStaffers for DA Cy Vance Jr. are launching an information page on the office's website this week with instructions on how to apply to have their records sealed ...

How a convicted terrorist became a US citizen  CNNA convicted terrorist who spent years in prison for a bus bombing attempt in Israel was granted US citizenship and allowed to remain in the country for nearly a ...

Clean Slate Act Helps Seal Criminal Records | Gross McGinley LLP  JD SupraDid something stupid a long time ago, that continues to haunt you to this day? Whether it is problematic or just highly embarrassing, submitting to a criminal ...

Jussie Smollett case | Court files remain sealed; no expungement sought  Chicago Sun-TimesRecords in Jussie Smollett's criminal case remain sealed to the public, and the actor has not sought to expunge the case in the two days since Cook County ...

Canada Will Expedite Record Sealing for People Convicted of Marijuana Crimes That Are No Longer Crimes  ReasonThe plan does not go as far as it should, but it's still better than the policies of most U.S. states with legal pot.

Lawmakers consider sealing, erasing records of past cannabis convictions  Press HeraldFour Maine legislators are pursuing bills to clear some convictions for marijuana possession that today would be legal. By Matt Byrne and Penelope Overton ...

Laws & Order: Legislators In Washington Region To Debate Overhaul Of Criminal Justice Laws  WAMU 88.5While bipartisanship is rare in government these days, criminal justice has become an issue where many Democrats and Republicans can agree that changes ...

Convicts Seeking to Clear Their Records Find More Prosecutors Willing to Help  The New York TimesLaw enforcement officials have traditionally opposed efforts to remove black marks from people's records. That is starting to change.

Land of Lincoln hosts clinic to expunge or seal criminal records in Carbondale  The SouthernCARBONDALE — Several residents used a clinic in downtown Carbondale Saturday to take the first step in moving forward a prior criminal conviction.

The free-market case for a clean slate | TheHill  The HillClean-slate measures uphold the spirit of the law while offering reformed offenders a safe, productive life.

San Francisco will remove more than 9,300 marijuana-related crimes from people’s records  Los Angeles TimesA year-long effort to expunge marijuana-related convictions in San Francisco has been completed, with more than 9300 crimes slated to be removed from ...

California could seal away criminal records for millions  Bakersfield NowBAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - A new bill making its way through the state legislature supports sealing criminal records for certain felonies and ...

Bill provides automatic expungement upon full acquittal | Local News | dailylocal.com  Daily Local NewsHARRISBURG — The Justice Action Network, the largest bipartisan organization working to reform the justice system at the state and federal level, applauded ...

Need your criminal record expunged? It just got a lot easier. Here's how it works  NJ.comIf you've ever tried to get convictions expunged from your criminal record and found out you don't qualify, you might now be in luck. A law that went into effect ...

More Illinois residents apply to seal criminal records after changes in law  WREX-TVROCKFORD (WREX) - Forty-two percent of people in Illinois have an arrest record or a criminal past, according to a study by the National Employment Law.

Criminal Justice, Climate Change, and Medicare for All: A Reading List on Some of Cory Booker's Key Issues  Pacific StandardSenator Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) officially entered the 2020 presidential race on Friday, February 1st, the first day of Black History Month. Booker is the ...

Trump Signed the First Step Act for Criminal Justice Reform. Here's the Second Step  FortuneNow that President Trump has signed the First Step Act, criminal justice reform should focus on lowering recidivism rates.

Library program offers help expunging criminal records  Freeport Journal-StandardFREEPORT — A program at the Freeport Public Library can help people with criminal records eliminate a major barrier to employment.The Lawyers in the ...

It Just Became Easier to Clean A Criminal Record in the Garden State  NJ SpotlightCourts already deal with 10000 expungement applications annually. Reforms 'will open the door' for thousands more to apply.

Legal groups launch effort to help people get Clean Slate relief  Sunbury Daily ItemHARRISBURG — People who've had long-ago minor run-ins with the law can get their records sealed under a state law that took effect in late December.

Wisconsin's criminal expungement rules keep needed workers out of jobs, study says  Milwaukee Journal SentinelA think tank's report suggests ways Wisconsin could modify its restrictive rules about expunging criminal records to boost employment.

Want to sweep your record clean? Process is complex, but can start online  Pittsburgh Post-GazetteThousands of people across Pennsylvania have submitted requests to have old criminal records sealed in the two weeks since the state expanded the types of ...

Polk Clerk of Courts to Hold Workshop on Arrest Records  Bay News 9The workshop will focus on helping people with arrests on their records that did not lead to convictions get those arrests sealed or expunged.

New York Appeals Court Won't Unseal Secret Harvey Weinstein Court Hearing  Hollywood ReporterVarious news organizations struck out Thursday when a New York appeals court refused to unseal the record of an April 26 court hearing in the criminal case ...

Sangamon County offering to expunge criminal records  FOX IllinoisIn just a few weeks, anyone with a criminal record in Sangamon County will have the chance to see whether or not their charges can be expunged, or removed ...

What Comes Next After the First Step Act?  The Marshall ProjectNow that the First Step Act passed, prison reformers are already making lists.

Few take advantage of expungement law  The Daily News of NewburyportBOSTON — Manoushka Gaston escaped a troubled past to attend school to become a nursing assistant in Lawrence with dreams of landing a job at an ...

Judge's Record-Sealing Denial Highlights 'Shortcomings' of Second-Chance Law  Queens Daily EagleThe conviction-sealing law fails “to explicitly address criminal records of younger offenders, even though it was enacted as part of the Raise the Age legislation.”

Opinion | A conservative case for criminal record 'Clean Slate' in Michigan  Bridge MichiganAn estimated half million Michigan adults have criminal records that hobble their ability to get jobs. Could wiping their slate clean help the state economy, and ...

Denver will help expunge marijuana convictions for 10,000-plus people  The Denver PostColorado may be the mecca of legal marijuana, but the state's old drug laws still loom large. Now Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has ordered a "citywide effort" ...

Boulder County and City of Denver to Allow Expungement of...  NORML BlogFollowing the lead of other major cities and counties in states that have legalized adult-use marijuana local officials in Colorado are taking action to undo the ...