As noted in a recent article in the American Bar Association’s ABA Journal, “Baltimore lawyer Jason Tashea is hoping to make that process just a little easier. Tashea, along with University of Maryland law student Jon Tippens, created ExpungeMaryland.org, a Web application to help people start to figure out whether their criminal records can be wiped away.” According to the article,
ExpungeMaryland.org breaks down the process into more user-friendly chunks, telling visitors, for example, how to get a copy of their actual criminal records. It also provides a series of simply worded questions to help users discover whether charges filed against them are potentially expungeable, including queries about how old they were when charged, whether the criminal case occurred in Maryland and whether the individual was released without conviction. In addition, users are able to download expungement petitions and fee waivers directly from the website.
The app also connects individuals with attorneys providing pro bono services.
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The app is written in open source, making it easily replicable for other states, Tashea adds.
Eric J. Ellman is Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Legal Affairs at the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA) in Washington, DC. He also served for eight months as Interim President and CEO of the Association. More