Clean

Reforming Expungement: States Push for ‘Clean Slate’ Laws Amid Ongoing Barriers for Ex-Offenders

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Charleston, West Virginia — A growing number of states are exploring “clean slate” legislation aimed at simplifying the process for automatically sealing records related to most misdemeanor charges. However, West Virginia is falling behind in this effort, with experts highlighting significant flaws in the state’s existing criminal record-keeping system. According to Logan Seacrest, a resident fellow specializing in criminal justice at the R Street Institute, West Virginia uses a complicated petition-based approach to expunging criminal records, which can be both expensive and overwhelming for many residents. He pointed out that when individuals are unable to … Read more

Unlocking New Beginnings: Suffolk County Lawyer Jason Bassett Guides Residents on Sealing Criminal Records Under New York’s Clean Slate Act

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In Central Islip, New York, individuals looking to lessen the impact of past criminal convictions can explore the process of sealing their records. Jason Bassett, a criminal defense attorney in Suffolk County, emphasizes that obtaining a sealed record can significantly improve various aspects of a person’s life, including job opportunities and housing options. His law firm, the Law Offices of Jason Bassett, P.C., specializes in guiding clients through this legal process in accordance with New York state law. Sealing a criminal record can make a considerable difference for those who have completed their sentences yet … Read more

Virginia’s Upcoming Clean Slate Law Aims to Transform Lives by Sealing Past Convictions for Thousands

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RICHMOND, Va. — A forthcoming “clean slate” law set to activate next year is expected to alleviate the burden of past convictions for many individuals, allowing some misdemeanors and felonies to be sealed from public visibility. The legislation aims to provide relief to those whose records have hindered their opportunities long after they have served their sentences. Supporters of the law argue that it will significantly impact people who have struggled to move on from their past. Legal professionals caution that preparations are crucial to manage the anticipated surge of individuals seeking to have their … Read more

States Unite Against Trump Administration’s Wind Energy Halt: A Legal Battle for Clean Energy’s Future

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Attorneys general from 18 states, including New York, initiated a lawsuit on Monday aimed at reversing the Trump administration’s suspension of wind energy projects nationwide, notably including the Empire Wind project off Long Island. New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is leading the coalition, criticized the executive order enacted by President Trump that halted these projects as “arbitrary and unnecessary.” The directive not only affects new permits for offshore and land-based wind projects but also calls for a review of the existing permitting and leasing processes. In the weeks following his inauguration, Trump imposed … Read more