Stories Related to Expunction
Oklahoma Adopts Automatic Clean Slate Legislation
House Bill 3316 has been approved by Gov. Kevin Stitt, making Oklahoma the sixth state to adopt an automatic expunction system. The bill, authored by Rep. Nicole Miller, follows an interim study issued to look into problems with expunction in Oklahoma. When Miller found that the system needed to be reformed, she was approached by many to author a bill on the legislation.
Rommy Kassim
6/4/2022
Louisiana HB 707 Would Automate Expunction Process
Louisiana has notoriously high fees and an overall tedious process for expungement, but Louisiana's new HB 707 is hoping to automate the system. Automation would help the thousands of eligible individuals that might not have otherwise taken advantage of this benefit. Louisiana legislators recently forwarded HB 707 to the full House for consideration.
Rommy Kassim
5/4/2022
Cleveland Mayor Files To Expunge 4,077 Marijuana Convictions
Cleveland, Ohio's mayor is officially all talk and all action, as he has filed a motion to expunge over 4,000 marijuana conviction records dating back to 2017. The records are all misdemeanor cases that involve 20 or less grams of marijuana.
Rommy Kassim
4/15/2022
Oklahoma HB 3316 Would Streamline Record-Clearing Process
Ranking third in the country for overall incarceration rates, Oklahoma is seeking to reform its criminal justice system. HB3316, the "Clean Slate" law, would provide automatic expunctions for those eligible for the program, streamlining the record-clearing process. Currently, Oklahoma provides the option of expunction to eligible individuals.
Rommy Kassim
3/9/2022
Ann Arbor Is Using Marijuana Tax Revenue To Fund Expunction Program
Ann Arbor, MI is revolutionizing its criminal justice system by utilizing marijuana tax revenue to fund free expunctions for qualifying participants. In an effort to rehabilitate and empower those with criminal histories, the city of Ann Arbor is offering record clearing at no cost for the removal of previous misdemeanor and felony charges in just a few simple steps.
Rommy Kassim
3/7/2022
Alabama Decriminalization And Expunction Bill Passes
There's been a lot of talk about marijuana policy reforms in Alabama, but the approval of a new bill that would decriminalize and provide expungements for marijuana-related charges offers real hope for Alabamians living with outdated convictions on their criminal record. The proposed legislation is sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton (D), and is currently awaiting approval from the Senate.
Rommy Kassim
3/5/2022
WV HB 4522 Would Allow Automatic Expunctions
West Virginia's House of Delegates recently adopted the bill HB 4522 that provides automatic expunction for those with qualifying criminal records. Although state law already allows for expunction via petitioning the court, this new house bill will help expedite the process and maximize the use of expunction.
Rommy Kassim
2/26/2022
Montana Courts Report Few People Have Applied To Expunge Marijuana Convictions
Those with criminal records have notoriously found the expunction process incredibly tedious and expensive. Recently, Montana Courts reported that only a small percentage of those with marijuana-related convictions are applying for an expunction.
Rommy Kassim
2/7/2022
66 Years Later, Claudette Colvin's Juvenile Record Has Officially Been Expunged
Montgomery, Alabama, finally expunged the juvenile record of Claudette Colvin in a decision that was very long overdue. In 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks made headlines, Colvin was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a bus. At the young age of 15, Colvin resisted arrest and was charged with violating Montgomery's segregation ordinance and assaulting an officer.
Rommy Kassim
1/9/2022
New North Carolina Budget Waves Expunction Fees For Human Trafficking Victims
North Carolina victims of human trafficking will receive support from the state with a new budget created to help survivors pursue a better life. The budget assists with many resources, including waiving expunction costs for victims wrongfully cited for participating in sex work.
Rommy Kassim
1/5/2022
HOPE Act Would Encourage States To Provide Marijuana Crime Expunctions
Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have banded together on a bill that would incentivize states to expunge marijuana-related charges. The bill, titled the Harnessing Opportunities by Pursuing Expungement (HOPE) Act, will give federal grants to cover the costs of identifying and clearing non-violent, eligible cases.
Rommy Kassim
12/12/2021