One dollar is still a dollar too much. Nonetheless, Wisconsin inches toward more reasonable drug laws with a recent compromise regarding cannabis use in Milwaukee County. Under the new policy, the fine for possession of marijuana will be reduced to only $1, a move that seems almost petty in retrospect. Although the illegalization of cannabis is generally frowned upon nationwide, decreasing its fine is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.

Marijuana charges are currently $275 in the state. When you account for court fees and other superfluous yet inevitable taxes, the fines typically add up to about $500. So, possession fines are not actually $1,they’re about $225. Don’t get me wrong, it’s refreshing to hear that the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted in favor of this slight reformation, but the state’s tendency to place revenue above public interest feels out-of-touch, money hungry, and unnerving to say the least.

It’s no secret that drug laws and their enforcers have a history of targeting minorities at disproportionate rates. Although there’s no significant difference between the rates at which different races use the substance, the risk of arrest on a cannabis charge is roughly four times higher for Black people than for white people. The continuation of marijuana illegalization keeps minorities at higher risks of incarceration, with an unsettling eagerness for revenue at the root of it all.

Despite the flaws within Wisconsin’s current drug policies, Milwaukee’s fine reduction marks a change of heart for the state. Progress happens one step at a time, and Milwaukeeans should be optimistic that their marijuana policies will improve even more in the near future. If a previous conviction is standing in your way, it’s time to wipe your record clean with seamless and affordable expunction packages from Easy Expunctions. Get in touch with us at (877) 959-4083 or visit EasyExpunctions.com to learn more.

Another state has been convinced that pardons should lead to expungement, even for individuals with multiple convictions. On January 11, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled a man pardoned by Gov. Christie could have offenses expunged from his criminal record, a rule that could potentially restore rights to a significant number of New Jersey citizens.

The man, Tommy Odom, had two previous convictions, one from 1994 and another from 1997. After Odom was pardoned in 2018, he attempted to have his convictions expunged from his record. The state initially denied his requests due to his previous convictions, initiating a discussion regarding a person’s right to expungement. Many states already agree that a pardon should guarantee expungement eligibility, because if the whole intention of a pardon is to restore an individual’s civil rights, a pardon without expungement is nothing more than an empty promise.

By the time Odom was pardoned, his convictions were over twenty years old. A mistake from twenty years ago should not prevent a person from pursuing a better life. Everyone deserves to move forward. By refusing to expunge deserving citizens, we are stripping away individual freedoms, which is what our nation’s founders wanted to avoid. Fortunately, the New Jersey Supreme Court came around to Odom’s request and ruled that he was eligible for expungement, regardless of his previous convictions, symbolizing a huge step for the state of New Jersey.

Free yourself from the shackles of a past mistake. At Easy Expunctions, we can wipe your record clean at an affordable price. For more information regarding a hassle free record-clearing process, visit our website at EasyExpunctions.com or give us a call at (877) 784-0213.

New York has officially made headlines by becoming the 15th state to legalize marijuana recreationally. This on its own is worthy of celebration, but arguably the most progressive part of the decision is the criminal justice reform that comes with it: Those with prior marijuana-related crimes that would be legal under new laws will have their criminal records expunged.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the legislation on March 31st, immediately after it was approved by the legislature. New Yorkers are now allowed to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana, and are even able to grow up to three plants at home. Cuomo noted the following:

“This is a historic day in New York—one that rights the wrongs of the past by putting an end to harsh prison sentences, embraces an industry that will grow the Empire State’s economy, and prioritizes marginalized communities so those that have suffered the most will be the first to reap the benefits.”

Righting the wrongs is indeed a hallmark of the new law: Anyone with past convictions that fall below the now legal 3 ounces will have their crimes expunged and resentences. The state expects to see roughly $350 million in tax revenue, as well as the creation of 60,000 jobs. Of the 9% tax revenue allocated for the state, 40% will go towards communities of color that have been disproportionately affected by the war on drugs.

This just goes to show that legalizing and regulating cannabis isn’t just fun for recreational users; it serves as a stark stance for social equality. Those with past marijuana convictions should not be treated as second class citizens, and we hope those who will receive expunctions from the state are able to embrace a fresh start.

If you’ve been looking for a second chance to find employment or housing without the stain of a criminal record, reach out to the experts at Easy Expunctions. If you’re eligible for an expunction, we can do it in a fraction of the time and for a fraction of the cost of a traditional lawyer.

Human trafficking survivors deal with a lot; should they have to suffer with criminal records from forced crimes committed when trafficked? The records from these crimes limit survivors’ ability to return to society and receive employment, safe housing, and family reunification opportunities. Current Ohio law does allow for expunctions for human trafficking victims’ criminal records—but the offenses must pertain to specific crimes such as soliciting, loitering, or prostitution to apply.

Ohio Legislature wants to do more to help, so they’ve introduced a new law that would help human trafficking victims expunge their criminal records without these specific offense requirements. The push for the new law doesn’t just provide victims with new opportunities to live a normal life—it also creates more opportunities to provide information to Ohioans about how they can help their neighbors and community members who are survivors of human trafficking.

While there are already laws in place that help victims of human trafficking return to civilization, legislation acknowledges the fact that they should do more. Human trafficking survivors face incredible barriers that can be difficult to overcome without the help of fundamental legislative changes. The goal of the new bill is for survivors of human trafficking to truly be free to start fresh and find success without being tied to the criminal justice system. By getting rid of the expungement-barriers, survivors are given a second chance and can return to normal lives safely.

If you find that you have difficulty finding meaningful employment or housing because of a small charge on your criminal record, Easy Expunctions might be able to help. We offer free background checks so we can determine what is on your record and what our record-clearing software can eliminate. Reach out to us today to get started on your path to a second chance!

Despite recent reform proposals that failed to mention marijuana expunctions, Rhode Island governor Daniel McKee recently stated that he supports people having their prior marijuana records expunged alongside future marijuana legalization. The remarks come on the heels of McKee’s 2022 budget proposal that included legalization measures, as well as Rhode Island legislatures announcing a bill to tax and regulate marijuana.

In an interview with WPRI-TV’s Newsmakers, McKee pointed towards Massachusetts as an example—the neighboring state has ended cannabis prohibition and included provisions that expunge the criminal records of those with certain prior offenses. McKee stated the following: “I think the landscape has changed, you have Massachusetts moving ahead, you can learn from them.”

McKee was unable to comment if there would be automatic expunctions or if those with records would have to apply, but noted that “either one is fine with me.” He went on to state, “If in fact it’s no longer a crime today, that shouldn’t be part of the record.”

Though these ambitious statements hold few specific plans to legalize, regulate, and clear past marijuana crimes, it’s good to see Gov. McKee voice his support for legalization at all; especially considering the fact that he stated he didn’t support legalization at all just three years ago. In the interview, he also acknowledged that people of color have been disproportionately affected in the past—something all lawmakers should be keenly aware of as they craft laws to amend the war on drugs.

If your state has yet to enact laws that serve to rid your record of past marijuana crimes, we might be able to help get you on the path to a clear record. Our expunction services are fast, online, and significantly cheaper than the cost of hiring a lawyer. Reach out to us today to see what we can do for you and your criminal record, so that you can move on and get the fresh start you deserve.

We are fully aware of the sad fact that once you’re involved in our criminal justice system, it’s hard to get out of it. Recidivism is a real problem, made worse by the fact that it’s hard to find real meaningful employment once you have a criminal record. This causes people to resort to illegal methods of earning an income, which further perpetuates the cycle.

A new study has emerged from a political scientist at NYU and economists at Rutgers and Texas A&M that reinforces this occurrence. The study, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, specifically studied misdemeanors and their effects on crime. They found that charring people with misdemeanors doesn’t lessen crime—it actually causes more crime. Researchers concluded that those who were arrested for nonviolent misdemeanors, and then had their charges dropped, were far less likely to be charged with another crime down the road.

The highly technical study looked at the data of arrests and prosecutions in Boston between 2004 and 2018:

“We find that, for the marginal defendant, nonprosecution of a nonviolent misdemeanor offense leads to large reductions in the likelihood of a new criminal complaint over the next two years. These local average treatment effects are largest for first-time defendants, suggesting that averting initial entry into the criminal justice system has the greatest benefits. We also present evidence that a recent policy change in Suffolk County imposing a presumption of nonprosecution for a set of nonviolent misdemeanor offenses had similar beneficial effects: the likelihood of future criminal justice involvement fell, with no apparent increase in local crime.”

The study also revealed some sinister data—that 80% of cases in the criminal justice system are in fact misdemeanors. This begs the question: if the majority of the cases are misdemeanors, and data tells us that prosecuting misdemeanors comes with a higher rate of recidivism, why are we pursuing prosecution so aggressively? It doesn’t help crime rates, and it doesn’t help those who end up with criminal records. Those with charges can lose their jobs and then have difficulty finding new jobs, and even housing.

In conclusion, our criminal justice system is severely flawed and needs work. If your opportunities have been affected due to a past criminal record, reach out to the experts at Easy Expunctions so we can help you get a fresh start.

America’s war on drug users is over in the City of Baltimore, according to Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. Baltimore will no longer prosecute low-level crimes to focus on more severe and violent crimes while also stopping the spread of Covid-19 behind bars. Baltimore will no longer prosecute crimes such as drug and drug paraphernalia possession, prostitution, trespassing, minor traffic offenses, and open container violations.

Baltimore is a part of an experiment called “The Covid Criminal Justice Policies,” where legislation will approach low-level crimes as a public health issue instead. Baltimore works with community partners to take on the issues outside the legislation’s jurisdiction. The Baltimore Police Department is partnering with Baltimore Crisis Response Inc. (BCRI), a crisis center that deals with substance abuse and mental health. Instead of locking up individuals who committed low-level offenses, Baltimore will offer helpful services instead.

Since the start of The Covid Criminal Justice Policies, incarceration rates are down 18%, violent crimes are down 20%, and property crimes are down 36%. This reform allows officers to focus on serious crimes such as armed robbery, carjacking cases, and drug distribution organizations. Baltimore is working towards a safer and healthier community.

If you’re struggling with a charge that makes it harder for you to succeed professionally, Easy Expunctions can help. Today is the perfect day to take the first steps towards a fresh start; sign up for a free background check so that we can see what’s on your record, and what we can eliminate with our record-clearing software!