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Seth Rogen Voices Support for Cannabis Crime Expunctions, Citing Racist Policing

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Seth Rogen has voiced support for the expungement of crimes related to cannabis use. The celebrity recently sponsored a panel to speak about racism within the war on drugs and the cannabis industry. The panel, “Reimagining Justice: Race, Cannabis, and Policing,” was organized by the Marijuana Policy Project. It featured discussions on the incarceration of cannabis users, the disproportionate arrests of people of color, and the ways in which expungement can rehabilitate those who have suffered from the criminal justice system. During the panel, Rogen explained, “The war on drugs was racist, is racist.” 

His claims are strongly backed by an ACLU report which found that Black people were 3.6 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than white people, despite white and Black people using cannabis at nearly the same rates. Targeting people of color for cannabis possession is perpetrated through politicians spreading the myth that cannabis use is more prevalent in Black communities. This false narrative has led to those with drug charges suffering even after cannabis becomes legalized in their state; suffering that Rogen and his colleagues believe can be healed through expungement.

Rogen described expungement as, “a step in correcting some of the wrongs and giving back some of the rights that these people, who have been negatively affected by the war on drugs, had taken away from them for no reason.” Rogen is currently working with National Expungement Week to raise awareness and education on expungement for those charged with cannabis crimes. 

If you or someone you know currently suffers under the oppression of the criminal justice system, please visit easyexpunctions.com to find out if you can expunge your unfairly acquired criminal record. We’ll get you started with a free background check and determine your eligibility for an expunction or nondisclosure. Get in touch with us today to take your first steps toward a fresh start. 

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Sacramento

A New Sacramento Bill Would Seal 2 Million Criminal Records

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Sacramento is on track to seal 2 million criminal records with a new proposed bill that came out on Monday and is currently backed by district attorneys. The legislation is an effort to remove restrictions for those with criminal records so they can find work and housing. The bill would essentially seal low-level criminal records for approximately 2 million people.

Those low-level criminal records have a lot more impact than one might think. A one-time, 10-year-old mistake will haunt a lot of people in the realm of jobs and housing. The goal is to help people move on from their mistakes without the stigma of a criminal record. The proposed bill would automatically clear records dating back to 1973 if it was put into effect. Expungements are already available in California, but can cost thousands of dollars in attorney fees per charge. This bill would make it more accessible to seal low-level criminal records and a lot cheaper because they wouldn’t need to petition in front of a judge. The bill will not allow for the sealing of domestic violence and impaired driving charges, officials reported.

The new Sacramento bill is a great thing for not only those with criminal records but the general public as well. If people with a criminal history can find housing and employment, it reduces their chances of re-offending, therefore saving potential victims of crimes. A similar bill was brought up last year in Sacramento. Although the bill was killed, its initial focus wasn’t to seal records like this one is. The bill from last year did have an idea about software that could scan criminal charges each month and automatically clear qualifying charges. They hope to create or find software with these capabilities to smoothen the process of scanning if the bill is passed.

Easy Expunctions is also working to give more people access to a clean record. We offer a free background check to get you started. From there we can work directly with you in identifying qualifying charges to be expunged from your record. Don’t let your life come to a halt because of a few simple mistakes. Easy Expunctions can help you clean up your record for a fraction of the cost of a lawyer!

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Clean Slate

Connecticut Considers Clean Slate Proposal

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A clean slate doesn’t come cheap to most people with criminal records. It can take a lot of time and money to petition a judge to expunge a charge. Fortunately, states are beginning to notice the damaging repercussions that low-level criminal charges are having on their citizens. Connecticut is the most recent state to jump on the bandwagon with a “clean slate” proposal that would expunge criminal records for those who qualify.

Supporters of the bill gathered in Hartford to express their feelings about the proposal, explaining that those who pay their debts to society should be eligible for a fresh start. A poll conducted of Connecticut voters showed they strongly support erasing criminal records once the offenders go a certain amount of time without committing another crime. Discrimination comes in many forms, but a quite overlooked form is that of people with criminal records who just want a fresh start at a productive life.

People who have records are engaged in a constant battle of trying to overcome the burden of their charges. If someone was arrested and convicted of a non-violent crime, did their time, paid their debt to society, and remained law-bidding citizens after, why should they have to continue to suffer from a record? Connecticut is trying to fix the discrimination of the criminal justice system by expunging the records of low-level crimes. Someone shouldn’t spend their whole life with a scarlet letter on their job application for a simple mistake.

Expunging non-violent crimes for those who have paid their debts and remain law-abiding citizens will help to reduce recidivism rates by putting people to work and preventing them from returning to a life of crime. Easy Expunctions knows how much a criminal record can affect employment, housing, and education opportunities. If you’re battling with your criminal record, we can help you identify qualifying charges to clear. We offer a free background check to get you started and can work directly with you in cleaning up your record so you can have the fresh start you deserve.

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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

New Study Emphasizes Need for Criminal Justice Reform

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Your criminal record can follow you anywhere you go. A simple mistake can take a lot of time, money, and paperwork to get erased from your record. A shoplifting charge can stop you from finding a job, getting into a good school, or qualifying for an apartment. Many people have made mistakes and paid their debt to society and yet are still overshadowed by a negative stigma that can be hard to move past. There are currently five states that make it extra difficult to clear your record and get a fresh start, including New York, Louisiana, Iowa, Tennessee, and South Dakota.

New York is the most difficult state to obtain a clean record by requiring a 10-year waiting period after the completion of incarceration and payment of fines before applying. The fee is only $5-$10, but the 10-year waiting period makes it the most difficult because your life is essentially on hold for 10 years as you await a clean record. Coming in second is Louisiana—there’s a 5-year waiting period and a $550 fee to clear your record. Iowa is next in line for the most difficult state to obtain a clean record by requiring an 8-year waiting period and a $185 fee, although the 8-year period begins at the point of conviction, not after the applicant has been released and paid fines. Tennessee is number 4 on the difficulty list by having a 5-year wait time after all terms of sentencing have been satisfied and a $350 fee. The last of all states is South Dakota. South Dakota requires a 10-year wait but if after 10 years a person is convicted of no other crimes, their record will be automatically expunged, with no need to apply or pay a fee.

There are far too many hoops to jump through in the 5 states that we discussed. The fact of the matter is too many people have misdemeanors and are unable to eradicate them. A misdemeanor offense can put your life on hold and we need criminal justice reform now more than ever. At Easy Expunctions, we offer multiple record clearing packages that can help get your life back on track. Start with a free background check and see what criminal charges could be holding you back. Easy Expunctions is an affordable, record-clearing service that can save you time and money. See what you qualify for today and take the first step towards a better life.

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Ban The Box

The Fair Chance Act Is on Its Way to the President

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The Ban the Box bill, also known as the Fair Chance Act, is a rapidly growing nationwide movement that would greatly improve job opportunities for individuals with a criminal record. The bill would remove any inquiry into an applicant’s criminal history on initial job applications, giving ex-offenders a better chance to find employment. The passing of this law would prevent the federal government and federal contractors from requesting criminal history information until they reach the conditional offer stage, which would give ex-offenders a chance to demonstrate their skills and qualifications before being written off completely.

The National Employment Law Project (NELP) reported that 35 states and over 150 cities and counties have adopted Ban the Box laws as of December 2019. On December 11, the Fair Chance Act passed in the House of Representatives and was sent to the Senate for consideration. The bill was passed by the Senate on December 17, and it’s now making its way to the President’s desk. If President Trump signs the bill, thousands of qualified individuals will have greater opportunities to contribute to their community, the economy, and life beyond prison walls.

A criminal record is a significant barrier to employment, reducing the chance of a callback by nearly 50% for men overall, and 60% for black men. The Fair Chance Act will require the Bureau of Justice Statistics to coordinate with the U.S. Census Bureau and issue a report on the employment statistics for formerly incarcerated individuals, which would help ensure the improvement of job opportunities for ex-offenders. The Ban the Box bill encourages employers to look beyond a criminal past when assessing an individual’s qualifications, but more importantly, it allows people to be defined by their character, not their conviction.

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