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New York Establishes Official Process for Eliminating Marijuana Conviction-Related Records

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Any arrest, conviction, or other impasse with the criminal justice system can be traumatic and shocking. Convictions and offenses can cause damage to one’s reputation, the loss of jobs, the loss of necessary goods and services, shelter, and even custody of children. The inconvenience associated with a criminal offense is compounded when that offense is later deemed legal.

With the increase in states legalizing marijuana, this particular situation has become much more common. Individuals who were arrested and charged with crimes associated with marijuana are rightfully frustrated—their arrest, conviction, or offense likely cost them valuable time, their reputation, or was at the very least, extremely inconvenient, and now the offense is no longer a crime.

Luckily, states like New York have been making strides in amending its citizens’ unnecessary convictions. This summer, New York automatically expunged more than 150,000 individuals’ marijuana possession convictions. The state is now going one step further to allow these individuals the option to have the records associated with these convictions destroyed. This option requires a simple one-page form that is free to file.

This service can serve several purposes for its applicants. Expungement effectively seals one’s criminal record so that the offense becomes invisible in most situations. For example, if an individual attempts to obtain a handgun or become a police officer, an expunged offense is still visible to the pertinent authorities. Some people also suggest that the destruction of these records could provide much-needed and long-sought-after catharsis to these wronged citizens, even if they have no need for a handgun or to become a police officer.

While criminal justice reform gains momentum, plenty of individuals are still trapped under the thumb of a minor offense. A minor, dated, and unnecessary conviction should not cause more inconvenience and hardship in your life. Reach out to the experts at Easy Expunctions today to see if you’re eligible for an expunction.

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Convictions

New York Senate Allows for More Low-Level Marijuana Conviction Expunctions

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As of July 2020, the New York Senate has passed a bill that expands the possibility of expunctions for low-level marijuana misdemeanors to many more individuals. This piece of state legislation, signed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, fixes the language used in the past applying to this issue, which barred individuals who were convicted on marijuana charges before 1977 from receiving an automatic expunction.

This past legislation operated on the stature that state laws were much stricter on marijuana charges in 1977 and before, therefore making a marijuana conviction a harsher offense. The law was straightened out in this new senate legislation by simply changing the legislation’s wording from marijuana “violation or violations” to marijuana “misdemeanor and/or violation.” This allows cases before 1977 to receive the same weight and consideration for expunction as those cases that occurred after 1977.

This change in legislation is one of a few smaller changes in favor of marijuana users that has swept the New York Senate in the past few days. The legislation came only one day after another piece of legislation was passed that abolished the possibility of tenants being evicted for the legal use of medical marijuana. Similar propositions have been pushed by lawmakers to less avail, such as a proposition to ban the use of pre-employment drug testing.

Minor reforms such as these have been made in an effort to accommodate the long standing stalemate within the state of New York on the issue of whether or not marijuana should be legalized. Many state politicians and lawmakers have voiced their opinions on the subject, including calling for the decriminalization of marijuana into requests for police reform in New York. However, it seems that until the Senate can reach a consensus on the legalization of marijuana, strides forward will most likely come in the form of modest reforms to marijuana legislation. In the meantime, this piece of legislation intends to distribute a great deal of automatic expunctions that will no doubt begin the rehabilitation process for many New York inhabitants.

If you’re burdened with the effects of past criminal charges, please visit us at Easy Expunctions to see whether or not you are eligible for a quick and Easy Expunction. We may be able to help you get your life back on track.

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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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