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Employers Can’t Immediately Disqualify Applicants With Criminal Records Under New Boise Bill

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The advantages of a clean record go way beyond what most people realize. The sad fact is that one simple mistake can take years and years to recover from. One of the biggest downfalls of a messy criminal record is that people miss out on employment opportunities. The second an employer sees that you checked the box saying you’ve been charged with a felony, your application is oftentimes thrown out the window.

A new Boise bill that was unanimously approved requires employers to consider someone’s qualifications for a position before asking them to disclose their criminal history. The bill is being called the Fair Chance Employment Act and it aims to help those who have been previously incarcerated return to the workforce. A lot of applicants with criminal records are taken out of consideration before the rest of their application is even read—the Fair Chance Employment Act states that an employer can’t ask about prior convictions until the applicant has been deemed a potential job candidate.

Those who have done their time and paid their debt to society should be welcomed back into the workforce. Imagine being convicted of a non-violent offense at the age of 20 and suffering from it until you’re old and grey. That’s not the way our criminal justice system should operate. People can find themselves in the wrong places at the wrong times, people can make mistakes, and people can act without thinking—especially when they’re young. These people deserve the chance to reintegrate back into society without falling victim to the growing recidivism rates.

If you have a criminal record that’s holding you back, Easy Expunctions might be able to help you out. We offer a free background check to get you started, and then work directly with you to find charges that qualify for expungement. A 20-year-old mistake can come back to haunt you at any time, so it’s highly beneficial to make sure your mistakes are wiped clean. Visit www.easyexpunctions.com to learn more about our multiple, affordable, record-clearing packages.

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Expungement

Georgia Senate Bill 288 Could Spark Expungement Conversation

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A new bill has been introduced in Georgia that would widen the qualifying charges for expungements—but less is being said about the bill and more about the conversation. Time and time again men and women are charged with non-violent crimes, and although they pay their debt to society, they are still shut out. According to the Georgia Justice Project, more than one-third of the Georgia population has a prior criminal conviction. That equates to over 4 million people who must disclose their criminal records when applying for housing, employment, and education.

Senator Tonya Anderson introduced Senate Bill 288. She is credited for starting the conversation of the need for criminal justice reform in Georgia. The Legal Action Center placed Georgia as the second-worst state in the U.S., largely due to the hoops you must jump through to reintegrate back into society after an arrest or conviction.

It’s no secret that Georgia is in need of some change in the expungement department due to the high volume of Georgians with criminal records. There is talk that the bill was merely introduced to start a conversation and if that’s the case, it’s working. Reducing the roadblocks for reformed criminals is needed in Georgia, but the question of public safety comes up. The bill would automatically expunge qualifying charges after 10 years and once all fines are paid. It’s not a change that would allow murderers to roam free, but rather help people who made mistakes, paid their debt to society, and came out of it reformed and ready to start fresh.

At the end of the day, this Georgia bill would make it easier for people with criminal records to start over. This is something we can all get behind. Easy Expunctions is an online record-clearing service that can help you eliminate qualifying charges from your record. Imagine your life with a clean record and visit www.easyexpunctions.com to make that a reality.

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Expungement

Kentucky Legislature Moves to Expunge Records of People Never Convicted

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Kentucky is hopping on the bandwagon along with a few other states by finally recognizing and attempting to correct the flaws in their criminal justice system. A new Kentucky bill passed unanimously in the legislative committee will automatically clear criminal records for those who were acquitted in court, with no charge. The fact that there is even a need for this bill is astounding because the U.S. legal system states the accused are innocent until proven guilty.

The people this bill will help are innocent and were proven so, and yet the accusation still remains on their records. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time can place a big, fat blemish on your criminal record that can preclude you from opportunities when applying for jobs, housing, and education. Kevin Bratcher, a Republican from Louisville, stated that he didn’t even know these injustices were happening, which only further proves the need for additional criminal justice reform.

Empowering more people to clear their name and their records will only improve the economy in Kentucky because it will put more people to work and reduce recidivism by making it more accessible for reformed-criminals to enter the workplace. The current criminal justice system sets all who enter it up for failure.

Kentucky is attempting to fix a significant problem that many were not even cognizant of. You should always be aware of what exactly is on your criminal record, as you too might be a victim of a false accusation and not even realize it’s on your record. At Easy Expunctions, we work directly with you in identifying qualifying charges that are available for expungement. We offer a free record check to get you started so that you can be aware of everything on your record. We offer various affordable record clearing packages and have excellent customer service to help you every step of the way. Don’t let an inaccurate or outdated charge follow you forever when Easy Expunctions can help.

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Uncategorized

LinkedIn’s “Fair Chance” Job Filter Helps Those With Criminal Records Find Employment

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LinkedIn is leading the way in 2020 with a huge step towards leveling the playing field for potential employees who have had run-ins with the criminal justice system.  A new feature called the “Fair Chance” filter helps connect people with a criminal record with employers who are open to hiring them.

Per LinkedIn:

“… We’re excited to roll out a new ‘Fair Chance’ job filter to help job-seekers easily identify employers who have committed to consider applicants with a criminal record, thus removing a major barrier from their job search process.”

The filter is available within the drop-down listings while searching for jobs on the site. It may seem like a trivial measure, but this will save time and frustration for candidates who are often turned down due to the stigma of a criminal record. Additionally, the search filter comes with total privacy, as using the filter will not be tied to each individual’s LinkedIn account.

This is a smart move that LinkedIn hopes will provide more economic opportunities for those who need it most. People with criminal records are widely discriminated against by employers. It’s understandable that no one wants to hire a liar or a thief, but we have to question exactly how fair it is to continue to punish someone for a mistake, for years down the line. Now there’s a streamlined way for applicants to connect with employers who understand that past mistakes don’t have drastic effects on one’s ability to perform a job.

If you’re having problems finding a job because of your criminal record, we can help. We offer a free initial background check so we can easily determine what’s on your record and what can be erased with the help of our software. Visit www.easyexpunctions.com to get started on your path to a clean record.

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Criminal Records

Maine Seeks to Expunge Nonviolent Criminal Records That Create “Second-Class Citizens”

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Maine is finally recognizing and attempting to correct the flaws in its criminal justice system. Those who have been released from jail are walking around with “scarlet letters,” as described by state representative Thom Harnett. As of right now, thirty-four states have some kind of legislation in place that allows people to have their criminal records expunged. Maine is not one of those states… yet.

A new proposed law in Maine would enable those convicted of a Class E, Class D or Class C crime to petition the court to expunge the charge five years after they have completed their sentence. The law would have exclusions such as pending criminal charges and crimes involving bribery, corruption, violence, or sex offenses. This law is being pushed because the Maine legislature is finally noticing that the consequences of committing a crime are regularly outlasting the court sentences and essentially creating “second-class citizens.” The big red mark on ex-convicts’ criminal records can immediately take them out of the running for employment, housing, and education opportunities. This bill attempts to give them a fighting chance by facilitating the reintegration process once their charges are expunged.

The suggested bill is also receiving quite a bit of backlash from the local media. Some are arguing that a better life for those with criminal records shouldn’t put the general public at risk by not being aware of someone’s criminal record. One reporter even suggested that the law should not apply to Class C crimes, which is the lowest felony offense charge in Maine. Lawmakers responded to the backlash by pointing out the detrimental effects one simple mistake can cause in a person’s life. Maine is on the right track and will proceed to pursue this legislation as the bill is further vetted by the committee before it faces a vote. If you’re living with a conviction or arrest that is hindering your success, visit www.easyexpunctions.com today. Get started with a free background check and begin the process of wiping your record clean with one of our affordable record clearing packages today.

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Ban The Box

Maryland Becomes Latest State to “Ban The Box”

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Maryland has become the most recent state to take a stand against discrimination against those with a criminal history by enacting a ban-the-box law. The ban-the-box law forbids employers from asking potential employees about their criminal records on initial job applications. The new law has just gone into effect and requires all employers with at least 15 full-time employees not to require applicants to disclose their criminal history until the first in-person interview.

This move is a good way to correct for the bias against those in the criminal justice system because it gives reformed criminals and the falsely accused a chance to be seen by employers in a new light. The ban-the-box law surpasses traditional employment and will also be applied to “any work for pay and any form of vocational or educational training, with or without pay.” Although the new law will allow employers to ask for criminal history disclosures during the first interview, it will get rid of that immediate red flag that employers see when an ex-con checks the felony box. This gives reformed criminals a chance to show who they really are and to hopefully win over the employer without the stigma of an unclean criminal record.

There are some exemptions to the new act, including those applying for programs and services that provide direct care to minors and vulnerable adults. Another exemption of the ban-the-box act is that it does not prohibit an employer from doing their own research or taking any other actions that the employer is required or authorized to take under another federal or state law.

This act gives those with criminal histories a chance to make a good first impression without having to wear a figurative scarlet letter on their clothing when initially applying for a job. The Commissioner of Labor and Industry will be enforcing the new act and will even fine those who don’t comply with a civil penalty of up to $300.

If you currently reside in a state that has not adopted a ban-the-box act, be sure to visit www.easyexpunctions.com. We work directly with you in an effort to shed light on all of your charges and clear those that qualify. Head over to Easy Expunctions online and get started with a free record check so you know exactly what is currently visible to potential employers!

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Collateral Consequences

Washington Considers Faster Pathways to Restoring Rights After Felony Convictions

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Washington has three new bills in the works, and they all aim to help those who are repeatedly punished for their past criminal convictions.

It is estimated that one in every three Americans has a criminal record—meaning one in every three Americans has a difficult time finding a place to work, live, and go to school. There are some obstacles a criminal record can lead to that may not be well known, for example, volunteering. One of the proposed bills would help parents with criminal records by creating a more streamlined process for parents to apply to volunteer at their children’s schools. The bill establishes volunteer application requirements for schools that are made to ensure parents with criminal convictions are at least considered to volunteer if they possess a certificate of restoration.

Another bill the state is considering would restore voting rights to those with felony convictions immediately after release, even if they still have fees to pay and remain under community custody. More than 5.3 million Americans currently cannot vote due to a result of felony disenfranchisement, even though research shows that providing people the power to vote upon discharge reduces prison recidivism.

The last of the three new bills introduced in Washington seeks to help those with past criminal convictions clear their records. The Clean Slate Act would make the Administrative Office of the Courts accountable for forming a new process when reviewing criminal convictions to determine whether they are eligible to be vacated. If one’s offense has met the criteria, the Administrative Office of the Courts would vacate the offense. Some exclusions of the bill include violent offenses and DUIs. Full implementation is expected to occur on July 1, 2022. Washington is attempting to fix its justice reform system with these three bills, and more states are sure to follow. If you don’t live in Washington or can’t wait until 2022, check out www.easyexpunctions.com for a free record check and speak to our excellent customer service representatives. At Easy Expunctions, we work directly with you to find charges that can be cleared from your record. Don’t wait for the state to wake up and clear your record—get started today at Easy Expunctions.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Will Now Expunge Criminal Records If Subjects Weren’t Charged

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In the US, criminal records are handled all wrong. Not all of the facts are laid out on your criminal record—just

the charges themselves are. This means that many charges on a record can be bogus. It’s very easy for people to live with no knowledge that an arrest from 5 years ago resulted in a criminal charge on their record, even though they were proven innocent in a court of law. Criminal records are built not only with convictions but with arrests that more often than not lead to immediate release from police custody. If someone is proven innocent, why should they have to jump through hoops to clear their record when their name has already been cleared?

Police are often accused of including multiple charges along with an arrest that eventually prevent the ability to obtain expungement, as one Milwaukee man found out. He was arrested for an assault, and two days later they decided not to charge him. The man had an outstanding warrant for a traffic violation and was made to pay the fines before the police released him. He then found out the police were refusing to expunge the assault arrest because the traffic violation charge was still pending.

The courts sided with the unfortunate Milwaukee man, and out of this came the new system of cleaning out the database of arrests that didn’t result in convictions. The Wisconsin Department of Justice will start expunging arrest records from its criminal database if the suspects weren’t charged. This will save a lot of people time, money, and create opportunities.

This isn’t an isolated incident; it’s an ongoing problem in this country. If you aren’t entirely sure about what’s on your criminal record, visit www.easyexpunctions.com for a free record check. Making yourself aware of everything on your record is the first step to clearing eligible charges. Easy Expunctions can help you take back your criminal record and take back your life.

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Expungement

Alabama May Pass an Expungement Bill for Non-violent Offenders

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 The only way for an ex-con to reintegrate back into society is for society to provide the opportunity for him to do so. These opportunities diminish when employers get a glimpse at a messy criminal record. Providing a fresh start could be the best approach to prevent people from going back to prison. Alabama could be the latest state to provide a fresh start by proposing a new bill, Senate Bill 14, that would expunge the records of some non-violent criminals.

The bill would allow people who have been convicted of some non-violent misdemeanor offenses to have the conviction expunged from their record. This would only happen after these individuals have fulfilled all of their parole requirements. While the state currently allows expunctions for some misdemeanor charges, there has never been the ability to remove convictions from records.

The overall purpose is to help ex-cons make a smoother transition back into society after release. Senator Cam Ward says he is sponsoring bills like the expungement one because the state’s criminal justice system is at a crisis point. He specified that violent crimes do not apply to the bill, which is mostly geared towards Class A misdemeanors. Ward is also on a mission to lower the filing cost for expungement, which would be raised to $500 if the bill passes.

Though a similar bill passed the Senate last year, it didn’t have time to pass through the house committee. This is a huge step for Alabama, which until now, only allowed for charges to be expunged if there was not a guilty verdict, a dismissal, a grand jury no bill, or with completion of a diversion. Senate Bill 14 would make it easier for those with criminal records to break the cycle of recidivism and search for job opportunities with a clean slate.

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Second Chance

Bipartisan Idaho Bill Would Give Former Inmates a Second Chance

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There’s a reason more than half of prisoners end up returning to prison within five years of their release: It’s hard for them to make their way back into society when their criminal record prevents them from doing so. When the world doesn’t greet you with open arms, and instead constantly refers to your past mistakes, it’s easy to fall back into old patterns and re-offend. This is especially true when you consider the fact that many ex-cons will be strapped for cash and therefore extra desperate to make ends meet.

A new Idaho legislation would allow certain felons to petition the courts to seal their public records so that they have access to more opportunities, Democratic Representative Ilana Rubel and Republican Senator Dave Lent are pushing hard for the “Clean Slate” bill to help aid in the success of rehabilitated criminals. Rubel stated, “The idea here is to let people get their lives back on track, so they can get jobs and get housing and move forward in a constructive way.”

The bill would only allow felons who have been convicted of nonviolent and nonsexual crimes to file a petition, and only after they’ve served their total sentences and have gone three years without reoffending. While law enforcement and judges would still be able to see the records, they would be sealed from the general public, including employers and landlords who might otherwise discriminate.

This will likely help Idaho prisoners to stay out of prison and secure legitimate employment. If society expects ex-cons to become productive workers and citizens, we have to give them the ability to do so. This bill would certainly make strides in this effort.

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