AKRON, Ohio - A new Ohio expungement law that quietly went into effect last week gives people with five felonies a chance to seal their criminal records.
The changes-- a direct result of the opioid epidemic-- could give a fresh start to those who have been convicted of drug, theft and other offenses.
Anyone convicted of first, second or third degree felonies would be disqualified from seeking expungement. Those who committed misdemeanors or lower-level felonies involving violence or sex crimes would also not be eligible.
Under the old law, people with up to two misdemeanors and no felonies or one misdemeanor and one felony could make a request to have records sealed.
Under the new law, people with no more than five felonies of the fourth or fifth degree or unlimited misdemeanors (excluding crimes of violence and sex offenses) could pay $50 and petition the court for expungement.
A person with an expunged record would not have to admit to the past crimes on a job application. It would be as if the convictions never happened and the public would no longer have access to court information.
Read the rest of the article here.
The changes-- a direct result of the opioid epidemic-- could give a fresh start to those who have been convicted of drug, theft and other offenses.
Anyone convicted of first, second or third degree felonies would be disqualified from seeking expungement. Those who committed misdemeanors or lower-level felonies involving violence or sex crimes would also not be eligible.
Under the old law, people with up to two misdemeanors and no felonies or one misdemeanor and one felony could make a request to have records sealed.
Under the new law, people with no more than five felonies of the fourth or fifth degree or unlimited misdemeanors (excluding crimes of violence and sex offenses) could pay $50 and petition the court for expungement.
A person with an expunged record would not have to admit to the past crimes on a job application. It would be as if the convictions never happened and the public would no longer have access to court information.
Read the rest of the article here.
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