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Understanding the New Juvenile Expungement Laws

Criminal Defense Blog 2018 August Understanding the New Juvenile Expungement Laws
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Understanding the New Juvenile Expungement Laws

Posted By South Shore Criminal Defense || 23-Aug-2018

A juvenile criminal record can have a lasting and negative impact on a person’s future. They can be particularly detrimental to young people who often face challenges when job hunting, applying for colleges, and renting or buying property. Recently, Massachusetts lawmakers reached an agreement regarding a criminal justice reform bill that may offer new opportunities to people charged with juvenile criminal offenses.

Per this new legislation, people who have committed crimes (including felonies) before the age of 21 may be able to have their criminal records expunged after 3-7 years. When the expungement process is successful, a person’s criminal charges are effectively “sealed,” or erased. Legally, it’s as if the crime was never committed. However, there are restrictions to this new legislation. These expungements are only available to people who have clear criminal records aside from their youthful transgressions.

This new bill also provides second chances to residents with prior convictions for marijuana possession. Because Massachusetts recently legalized recreational marijuana use for adults, lawmakers are now granting people the opportunity to expunge past marijuana possession records (with certain exceptions).

Supporters of the bill claim it provides many new prospects to thousands of Massachusetts residents. According to State Rep. Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston), a criminal record “doesn’t allow you to reach your full potential. So what we’re saying is give these kids a clean slate once they’re proven that they’ve learned their lesson.”

However, critics of the bill have understandable concerns about the message it sends to victims of criminal activity. For example, State Rep. Tim Whelan (R-Brewster) argues, “we don’t want to do this at the expense of the rights and concerns of the victims.”

Regardless, this bill is offering new hope to many people across the state of Massachusetts.

Schedule a Consultation

The legal process for having your criminal record expunged may seem intimidating and overwhelming at first glance. However, don’t let fear or uncertainty hold you back from starting the next phase of your life. At South Shore Criminal Defense, our Brockton expungement lawyer has decades of legal experience and can effectively guide you through the expungement process.

We want to help you secure a bright future free from the mistakes of your past. Contact our firm today to learn how these updated expungement laws can benefit your life.

Call South Shore Criminal Defense at (617) 231-7107 to schedule a free consultation.

Categories: Criminal Defense, Expungement

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