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.
The move is a logical one, as Cleveland City Council passed an ordinance over two years ago that lowered the penalties for misdemeanor possession of marijuana. The ordinance ensured that those convicted would not have permanent criminal records and would not have to disclose the charge on employment applications. Nevertheless, the Cleveland prosecutor’s office has found 455 people who have mistakenly received charges since it passed.
In a news release, Bibb noted that thousands of other cases are eligible for expunction and that each of these people deserves a second chance:
“This is just one way we can make progress on criminal justice reform to balance the scales and remove barriers to employment and re-entry.”
The motion now heads to Municipal Court judges for signature. We hope the expunctions take effect sooner than later, as people with criminal records tend to suffer under unfair stigmas that make it more difficult for them to find meaningful employment and housing.
If you’ve faced barriers due to your criminal history, we can help. Head to www.EasyExpunctions.com to see if you qualify for a fast, affordable, and online expunction!