There are many issues on which Texans remain largely divided. However, a new survey is showing us that there’s one thing the majority of Texans agree on; and that thing is criminal justice reform.

The study is a joint project from the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs and Executive Master of Public Administration Program at the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University. The five-year survey found that more than 75% of responders support (1) prosecuting officers who use excessive force and (2) officers undergoing more conflict de-escalation training. 74% also supported more racial bis training for officers.

TSU professor of political science Michael O. Adams noted the following:

“When you examine these responses, you will hear Texans voicing the need to address these inequities. We are in the midst of a renewed awakening on issues such as excessive police force and racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and it is critical to hear the message clearly.”

Though responders were generally opposed to cutting police budgets (75% voiced they were not in support of doing so), the takeaway is that the majority of Texans see a need for reform within the criminal justice system, especially in regards to people of color. Responders realized that now is the time to change the way policing is done in Texas, and that racial inequalities are very real within the system.

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Florida Rep. Dotie Joseph (D) has filed some very ambitious legislation, titled the “Collateral Consequences of Convictions and Decriminalization of Cannabis and All Drugs Act.” This bill’s ultimate goal is to decriminalize all drugs, though it also contains language that would bring relief to those with existing drug convictions.

The bill’s official subject is “revising penalties for nonviolent offenders,” something we can all get behind. The legislature can be summed up in this bill statement:

“In the interest of the health and public safety of the residents of Florida, preserving individual freedoms without sacrificing community costs, allowing law enforcement to focus resources on violent and property crimes, generating revenue for education, substance abuse prevention and treatment, freeing public resources to invest in communities and other public purposes rather than continuing to overburden prisons with a population that needs medical attention, seeking corrective equity on the impact of the ‘war on drugs,’ and identifying real people-centered solutions to various drugs crises like the opioid epidemic, the Legislature is prioritizing treatment and safety in an effort to preserve lives rather than discard them through criminalization and incarceration.”

This bill would do wonders for those with marijuana convictions, who would receive automatic expunctions if more than a year passes since the date of the arrest. Additionally, possession of up to an ounce of marijuana would be a non-criminal violation that carries a measly $50 fine instead of a misdemeanor offense.

The bill also states that:

“[crimes] associated with the personal usage and possession of controlled substances that do not involve production, distribution or sale shall be decriminalized in favor of civil fines and referral for drug rehabilitation.”

Rep. Joseph’s progressive bill is just the latest attempt to end criminalization. It’s no secret that there are too many people in prison for non-violent drug offenses and that even those who don’t see jail time suffer under the limitations of criminal records. Drastic reformation measures need to happen to 1. ensure that the next generation doesn’t have to face the burden of finding work, housing, loans, or licenses with a criminal record attached to their names, and 2. make reparations to those who have already suffered too long with criminal records.

If you’re tired of having to explain your charge, arrest, or conviction, we can help. Get in touch with Easy Expunctions to see if we can help remove your criminal record once and for all—the sooner you get started, the sooner you can experience life with a clean background check!

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.

In a press release, the Republican Congressman noted the following:

“Having been both a public defender and a prosecutor, I have seen first-hand how cannabis law violations can foreclose a lifetime of opportunities ranging from employment to education to housing. The collateral damage caused by these missed opportunities is woefully underestimated and has impacted entire families, communities, and regional economies.”

“By helping states establish and improve expungement programs for minor cannabis offenses, the HOPE Act will pave the way for expanded economic opportunities to thrive alongside effective investments to redress the consequences of the War on Drugs.”

AOC, meanwhile, noted that the HOPE Act would help minorities who have been unfairly targeted by the war on drugs:

“As we continue to advocate for the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana, this bipartisan bill will provide localities the resources they need to expunge drug charges that continue to hold back Americans, disproportionately people of color, from employment, housing and other opportunity.”

This bill would give second chances to so many, and the fact that it is spearheaded by both a democrat and a republican could help it all the way through. The HOPE Act wouldn’t legalize marijuana, but it would provide relief for those who need it most. It would make reparations for who have suffered under the immense weight of marijuana-related charges, even though the substance is now legal in many states.

Ex-offenders face a number of hardships designed to keep them from succeeding in the workforce. In attempts to reduce these hardships, the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center motioned the Fair Chance Licensing Project, a notion set in place to assist ex-offenders in finding employement and offer solutions to labor shortages across all 50 states.

The project offers a helping hand to ex-offenders in multiple ways. Now, these individuals are able to hear other peoples’ personal stories about the obstacles they face, including an inability to obtain an occupational license as a result of having a criminal record. The project also allows ex-offenders to hear from a state representative seeking to launch fair chance licensing laws in their state, as well as view 14 fair chance licensing maps showcasing adopted strategies implemented to advance fair chance licensing. Individuals with criminal records are more than often prohibited from obtaining occupational licenses, yet roughly one in four U.S. jobs require a government-issued license to pursue employment. Clearly these laws were set in place to limit the lives of ex-offenders, not to promote public safety.

Everyone deserves a second chance. If you feel like your life is limited by your criminal record, our record-clearly experts can open up a new set of opportunities without the hassle of hiring of a lawyer. For more information about a quick and affordable record-clearing process, give us a call at (866) 775-9983 or visit our website at EasyExpunctions.com.

Philadelphia’s City Council has officially passed a bill prohibiting most employers from drug testing applicants for marijuana.

The bill’s sponsors noted that medical cannabis is legal in the state, making drug tests contradictory in nature. The measure includes certain exceptions like law enforcement, medical employees, childcare workers, and those who are federally mandated to undergo drug screenings. Unionized workforces are also exempt if drug testing is their contract.

The bill was approved 15-1 and specifically “prohibits employers from requiring prospective employees to undergo testing for the presence of marijuana as a condition of employment, under certain terms and conditions.” Philadelphia’s Mayor is expected to sign it into law.

We applaud the city council for doing its part to de-stigmatize marijuana use. People should not be punished for using something that is legally within their rights, and pervasive marijuana drug screenings would be counterintuitive regarding state law.

If you have a small marijuana charge that is no longer reflective of today’s societal attitudes towards cannabis, reach out to the experts at Easy Expunctions—our fast and affordable record-clearing software may be able to rid the charge from your file altogether: 1 (877) 648-0836

Having a criminal record can make it challenging to find housing, get hired for jobs, and even exercise your civil rights. Alabama wants to help those who have criminal records redeem themselves and find second chances to move forward. Under a new act, people who have long-ago convictions for certain low-level crimes will have the opportunity to receive expunctions and wipe their records clean.

The Alabama Legislature approved the REDEEMER Act, short for Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment and Eliminate Recidivism Act. This new bill essentially expands the state’s expungement policy, allowing people with certain nonviolent misdemeanors to apply for record expungement. It expands on a law that took effect in 2014 that allowed expunctions for those who had been arrested for a crime, but not convicted.

The REDEEMER Act will take effect in July of this year, allowing people to petition for expunctions. Judges are supposed to consider the nature of the offense and how much time has passed since the conviction. Though automatic expunctions are obviously preferable, this is most definitely a step in the right direction for Alabama’s criminal justice system.

If you’re having a hard time finding success in your personal or professional life because of an unclean criminal record, we’re here to help. Reach out to us today to get the ball rolling with a free background report. From there we can determine what’s on your record, and what our software can erase.

Another state seeks to put an end to our nation’s faulty drug policies. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham recently signed two bills that will legalize recreational marijuana in the state, as well as expunge certain marijuana-related offenses. Under new laws, individuals 21+ are able to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, and newly legal cannabis-related offenses will be subject to automatic expungement.

The United States is running out of logical reasons for enforcing outdated Marijuana laws. Not only would legalization decrease crime rates, the cannabis industry currently drives mass amounts of profits in legal states. More importantly, the prohibition of cannabis makes it easier for law enforcers to disproportionately target minority communities, which contributes to devastating issues concerning systemic racism in America.

Individuals living in illegal states suffer unreasonable consequences for marijuana offenses, while dispensary owners in California, Colorado, etc. rake in millions for the same ‘crime.’ This nationwide inconsistency represents a deep unfairness amongst American citizens. Those facing limited employment and housing opportunities due to previous marijuana-related offenses suffer from only one mistake—being in the wrong state at the wrong time. New Mexico’s decision to automatically expunge newly legal cannabis-related charges provides deserving New Mexicans with greater opportunities and hope for a better future.

If a previous arrest or conviction is placing limits on your life, it’s time to take your future back into your own hands. Easy Expunctions offers a headache-free expunction process, without emptying your wallet. For more information regarding a clean criminal record, get in touch with us at (877) 795-3149 or visit our website at EasyExpunctions.com.

Let’s hear it for Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin, who has announced blanket pardons for over 15,000 Alabamians. The pardons will be applied to misdemeanor marijuana convictions dating back to 1990 and will serve to free these individuals from the limitations that come with a criminal record.

In 2019, Woodfin created his Pardons for Progress program, which he hoped would make it easier for those who have been convicted of marijuana possession to find legitimate employment without the stigma of a criminal record. Woodfin has made meaningful progress towards that goal with his new pardons. Speaking about those affected by criminal records, he noted:

“They deserve a chance to be part of our workforce, to provide for their families, and to achieve success on their own. That new life starts rights here, today, with forgiveness and redemption.”

Though marijuana is still illegal in Alabama, Woodfin has continuously pushed for recreational legalization. His campaign website currently hosts a petition asking the state government for decriminalization. A bipartisan bill allowing for medical marijuana is currently in the Alabama legislature.

We applaud Mayor Woodfin for his work in helping Alabamians receive a second chance. If you think you could benefit from a clean record, we’re here to help. Reach out to Easy Expunctions and get started with a background report to help us determine what shows up on your record, and what could be erased with our software. It’s never too late for a fresh start, and we’re here to help make it happen.

This past spring, a Florida bill that would make it easier for juveniles to expunge their arrest records passed unanimously. The bill provided more opportunities for expunctions after minors completed a behavioral program, which would have benefited thousands of minors who would have escaped the burden of carrying a criminal record into their adult lives. However, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the bill at the last minute, crushing the hope of criminal justice reform advocates across the state.

Now, lawmakers have once again introduced the bill. SB 342 looks similar to the former bill, but lawmakers removed forcible felonies from the list to quell some of the Governor’s concerns. Other than this change, the bill remains effectively the same.

Though Florida already offers minors the opportunity to clear their records if they complete the behavioral program, this currently only applies to first-time misdemeanors. Advocates want to expand the law to include most felonies and subsequent arrests.

At the beginning of this year, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement estimated that around 27,000 minors would qualify under the new measure. That’s 27,000 people whose lives could be changed for the better—27,000 people who could begin adulthood without the stigma of a criminal record.

Lawmakers are hopeful that removing forcible felonies from the bill will get the governor on board, especially considering that the Florida Police Association has officially voiced its support for the new bill. The bill’s fourth attempt will come to light in the 2022 Legislative Session, which begins mid-January.

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Legalization often comes with social justice objectives that seek to amend some of the damage that prohibition had on minority communities. Many states with legalization push marijuana tax dollars and license preferences towards these communities for the sake of reparations.

Montana, however, is seeking to do the exact opposite. Though the state voted to approve legalization last year, regulators are currently pushing for a strict new set of rules for people who want to work within the industry. They want to effectively end eligibility for anyone who has a criminal conviction within the past three years, including minor possession offenses that are now legal in the state,

The Montana Department of Revenue proposed that the following factors are grounds for suspension or revocation of worker permits: “conviction, guilty plea, or plea of no contest to a criminal offense within three years of the application or renewal.” This, unfortunately, includes “any provision of the marijuana laws,” including offenses that occurred in other states.

Advocates argue that these rules would only further encourage racial disparities, as we know that people of color have been disproportionately targeted and charged with substance-related law enforcement. Pepper Peterson of the Montana Cannabis Guild summed it up perfectly in a conversation with Marijuana Movement:

“Montana DOR just flushed restorative justice down the toilet with absurd their new rules, and to add insult to injury they want to make it harder to be a budtender or marijuana worker now when we are in the middle of an employment crisis.”

A public hearing is scheduled for November 30th. We hope that lawmakers come to understand the importance of restorative justice and the positive impact it can have on communities that have long suffered under prohibition.

If you’re tired of explaining your marijuana arrest, charge, or conviction, we may be able to help scrub it from your record entirely. Get in touch with us today to see if we can offer you a fast, affordable, and easy expunction.