Latest Stories
Here’s what we've been up to recently.
Utah's Clean Slate Law Takes Effect February 10th
The Utah Clean Slate Law now offers a fresh start for thousands of people with criminal records. The law, which took effect on February 10th, 2022, automatically expunges the eligible records. Often those with criminal records find themselves caught in a vicious cycle of unemployment.
Rommy Kassim
2/9/2022
Montana Courts Report Few People Have Applied To Expunge Marijuana Convictions
Those with criminal records have notoriously found the expunction process incredibly tedious and expensive. Recently, Montana Courts reported that only a small percentage of those with marijuana-related convictions are applying for an expunction.
Rommy Kassim
2/7/2022
RI 2023 Fiscal Year Budget Request Includes Marijuana Legalization
After months of debate between legislators, Rhode Island governor Dan Mckee announced a budget plan to legalize adult-use cannabis and provide an automatic expunction process for cannabis-related charges in the state.
Rommy Kassim
2/5/2022
Ban The Box In Effect For Harris County, Texas Government Jobs
The "ban the box" movement is a second chance for hundreds of applicants for employment, allowing those with criminal histories the opportunity to live up to their potential. Harris County, Texas, is the latest to apply this to government jobs. "Ban the box" is aligned with the Fair Chance policy, which was passed in a 3-2 vote by the Harris County Commissioners Court.
Rommy Kassim
2/4/2022
CO Governor Pardons Nearly 1,400 Marijuana Arrests
Colorado has long been at the forefront of marijuana decriminalization within the United States. And now, they've taken yet another step towards the future as Governor Jared Polis announced that he granted an additional 1,351 pardons for convictions of possession.
Rommy Kassim
1/18/2022
Philadelphia Employers Can No Longer Drug Test For Marijuana
The state of Philadelphia rang in the year with a new, much-needed policy: city employers are no longer allowed to force prospective employees to submit a drug test for marijuana. Not only will this improve the talent pool, but it will give deserving citizens a fair chance at pursuing their life of choice.
Rommy Kassim
1/16/2022
Study Finds That Marijuana Decriminalization Reduces Racial Disparity
A new study from researchers at the University of California, San Diego has given us some interesting insight on the effects of marijuana decriminalizaition. The study, which examined data from 37 stated between 2000 and 2019, found that decriminalization decreases arrest overall,AND is reduces racial disparities with remaining arrests.
Rommy Kassim
1/14/2022
66 Years Later, Claudette Colvin's Juvenile Record Has Officially Been Expunged
Montgomery, Alabama, finally expunged the juvenile record of Claudette Colvin in a decision that was very long overdue. In 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks made headlines, Colvin was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a bus. At the young age of 15, Colvin resisted arrest and was charged with violating Montgomery's segregation ordinance and assaulting an officer.
Rommy Kassim
1/9/2022
"Ban The Box" Now Applies To You
"Ban the Box" policies remove the check box that asks applicants if they have a criminal record on initial job applications. They exist to encourage employers to examine a candidate's qualifications first, rather than letting the stigma of a criminal record get in the way of hiring someone who is otherwise qualified.
Rommy Kassim
1/8/2022
Texas Enacts "Ban The Box" Policy For Companies With More Than 15 Employees
Punishment shouldn't last a lifetime. DeSoto, Texas, acknowledges a person's right to a second chance with the enaction of a "Ban the Box" policy that prevents city employers with over 15 employees from asking about an applicant's criminal history.
Rommy Kassim
1/6/2022
New North Carolina Budget Waves Expunction Fees For Human Trafficking Victims
North Carolina victims of human trafficking will receive support from the state with a new budget created to help survivors pursue a better life. The budget assists with many resources, including waiving expunction costs for victims wrongfully cited for participating in sex work.
Rommy Kassim
1/5/2022
Montana Launches Courts Dedicated Solely For Expunging Marijuana-Related Crimes
More and more states are getting with the times, at least when it comes to cannabis. Montana state officials are working to create a drug court that deals primarily with the expungement of criminal charges for marijuana-related offenses, a notion that could relieve thousands of deserving Montanans from the burden of their criminal record.
Rommy Kassim
1/1/2022