Tagged With: Convictions
Boulder County and City of Denver to Allow Expungement of Low-level Marijuana Convictions
Following the lead of other major cities and counties in states that have legalized adult-use marijuana such as San Francisco and San Diego in California and Seattle and Pierce County in Washington, local officials in Colorado are taking action to undo the injustices of marijuana prohibition. Six years after voters in Colorado legalized adult-use marijuana, … Continue reading
California: Governor Signs Legislation Expunging Past Marijuana Convictions
Democrat Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation, Assembly Bill 1793, facilitating the review and expungement of hundreds of thousands of past marijuana convictions. The new law requires “the Department of Justice, before July 1, 2019, to review the records in the state summary criminal history information database and to identify past convictions that are potentially … Continue reading
New York: Brooklyn DA Intends To Vacate Thousands Of Past Marijuana Convictions
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez at a press conference today announced his intent to vacate over ten thousand low-level marijuana convictions. Though state lawmakers decriminalized minor marijuana possession offenses in 1977, possessing small amounts of cannabis “in public view” remains a criminal misdemeanor. City police have made several hundred thousand arrests since the late 1990s … Continue reading
California: Sonoma County District Attorney To Vacate Thousands Of Past Marijuana Convictions
The District Attorney’s Office for Sonoma County, California (population 502,000) is directing staff to review and vacate thousands of past marijuana convictions. County officials estimate that an estimated 3,000 cases are eligible for either a sentencing reduction or expungement. The Sonoma County D.A.’s actions follow those of district attorneys for Alameda County, San Diego County, … Continue reading
California: Alameda County District Attorney To Vacate Thousands Of Past Marijuana Convictions
The District Attorney for Alameda County has announced her intent to automatically vacate thousands of past marijuana convictions. Alameda County, which includes Oakland, is the 7th-most populous county in California. According to the DA’s office, there are an estimated 6,000 marijuana convictions eligible for either a sentence reduction or a dismissal. “California is offering a … Continue reading
Seattle To Vacate Criminal Convictions For Former Marijuana Offenders
Following in the footsteps of San Francisco, Seattle city officials announced today that they will be vacating the criminal convictions of former marijuana offenders. Seattle’s mayor and city attorney plan to ask the courts to vacate all misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions that were prosecuted before the plant was legalized in Washington state in 2012. Between … Continue reading
Thousands Of Californians To Have Their Marijuana Convictions Dismissed
San Francisco city officials announced plans yesterday to begin reviewing and automatically expunging thousands of past marijuana possession convictions. The District Attorney’s office says that it will review, dismiss, and seal an estimated 3,000 misdemeanor marijuana convictions dating back to 1975. The office also intends to review and resentence many past felony convictions. Provisions in … Continue reading
Nevada: Governor Vetoes Bill Vacating Past Marijuana Convictions
Governor Brian Sandoval vetoed legislation, Assembly Bill 259, that sought to allow minor marijuana offenders to vacate and seal their past convictions. The measure stated: “If a person has been convicted of a misdemeanor for the possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana in violation of subsection 4 of NRS 453.336 or for a … Continue reading
Maryland: Measure Making It Easier To Expunge Criminal Marijuana Convictions Before Governor
Update: The Senate has passed enrolled SB 949 which means the bill was adopted with the House amendments. SB 949 has now been sent to the governor for approval. Update: The Senate refuses to concur with the House amendments, so the Senate is requesting that the House recedes on the amendments for SB 949. Update: … Continue reading
Nevada: Measure Seeks to Vacate Former Marijuana Convictions
Legislation is pending, Assembly Bill 259, to vacate certain marijuana possession convictions that occurred prior to the plant’s legalization. The measure would permit those with criminal convictions for offenses involving the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana prior to January 1, 2017 to have their convictions vacated. Please use the pre-written letter below … Continue reading
