OPINION: Give Marylanders a Realistic Second Chance
I know first-hand how hard it can be to move ahead after incarceration. As a teenager and young adult, I made a lot of mistakes and spent time in jail. Eventually, I served my sentences and fulfilled my obligations to society. But when I started applying for jobs, it felt like my record was holding me back from landing a position.
Advocates rally in Annapolis to push expungement legislation
Advocates from across Maryland rallied outside the State House in Annapolis on Feb. 9, urging lawmakers to advance the Fair Chance Housing Act and the Clean Slate Act (HB 360/SB 483).
Lobbyists, citizens come from across the state to push policy initiatives
Close to 100 criminal justice and housing advocates rallied in the cold on Lawyers Mall to highlight legislation to provide greater opportunities for people who were formerly incarcerated.
Majority of Marylanders Favor Clean Slate Act
New polling shows a majority of Maryland voters favor legislation reducing barriers for people with non-violent conviction records to land work, get safe housing, and become self-sufficient.
Governor Moore Signs Bill Allowing More Marylanders to Clear Criminal Records
Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed legislation allowing many more Marylanders to expunge criminal records after completing their sentences.
VIDEO: Make Second Chances Happen
WATCH: One in three Americans has a criminal record. The complex paperwork needed to clear their records keeps millions of people from supporting their families and communities.
Partners Virtual Info Session
Virtual event, January 31: Join Clean Slate Maryland Coalition partners to advocate for Maryland to pass and implement a law to automatically clear eligible records for people who have completed their sentence and remained crime-free.
Maryland Supreme Court agrees to take up case about expungement and probation
The Maryland Supreme Court will determine whether those with probation violations can qualify to expunge their records. This important case provides a tandem pathway to a legislative fix also in the works to address this problematic ruling.
Setting sail for justice: Clean Slate policy straight ahead
While the majority of states, including Maryland, offers petition-based record sealing, reports have found that fewer than 2% of eligible individuals take advantage of this opportunity because of the rigors of navigating the convoluted and costly process.