Minnesota Bill HF1845 Helps to Completely Expunge Criminal Record

There are many problems awaiting those who have pleaded guilty or have been convicted of an offense beyond jail, prison, or probation. One of those problems facing previous offenders is finding out that the real penalty begins after they have paid their debt to society. The current law of Minnesota allows a judge to seal, or expunge, the criminal records of certain offenders. In theory, this would give prior offenders a clean slate that allows them to search for things like better jobs or housing. However, in reality, a judge can expunge only court records, not those collected by the state’s executive branch. The consequence is that expunged offenses disappear from court records, but are found simply through other methods such as background checks conducted by other public agencies. Lawmakers, aware of this problem, have proposed a bill, known as HF1845 the Uniform Collateral Consequences of Conviction Act, with the goal of expanding judges’ power to expunge records in the executive branch. The Process of the Minnesota Expungement Bill HF1845 Getting Passed In Minnesota, once introduced, a bill must travel through the committee process. If it is a House bill, it must go through the necessary policy committee and if it has financial implications, a finance committee. Then it is ready to go to the floor. A bill receives three readings before members debate it and take a final vote. A “reading” is the presentation of a bill before either body when the bill title is read. Bills must have three readings, one on each of three separate days, before they can receive final approval. Each of these readings is a stage in the path to enactment. The first reading occurs when a bill author introduces a bill on the House or Senate floor, after which it is sent to a committee for consideration. The second reading occurs when either body finishes committee action on a bill and it is sent to the floor. This happens in advance of the floor debate on the bill. The third reading occurs immediately preceding the final vote on the bill. Currently, HF1845 has six representative sponsors from the House, including the primary sponsor Representative Lesch. At this time, the bill has gone through its introduction and first reading in the House, and was referred to the Committee of Public Safety Finance and Policy, where it is now pending review. It has not...
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Applying for a Pardon in Minnesota

Not all cases are eligible for Minnesota expungement; however, there is another option that may be beneficial. Seeking a pardon in the state where your conviction occurred may the best solution to receive criminal record relief. In order to apply for a pardon, there are certain requirements that may need to be met.  You will have to complete the application procedure.  This information can be found in great detail at www.pardon411.com. If you are applying for a pardon in Minnesota, below you will find the eligibility requirements and process for applying. Minnesota Eligibility There are two types of pardons in Minnesota: A “regular pardon” can be applied for if: You are still serving your sentence A “pardon extraordinary” can be applied for if: You have met the waiting period for your crime If you were convicted of a “crime of violence”, you must wait ten years after you have been discharged from your sentence. During the wait period, you must not be convicted of any other crimes If you were not convicted of a “crime of violence”, then there is a five-year waiting period in which you must not be convicted of any other crimes. Applying To request your Pardon Application, you may: Call The Minnesota Board of Pardons at 651-642-0284 Write a request to: Minnesota Board of Pardons 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 200 St. Paul, MN Fill out Pardon Application as directed on the Application Obtain your Criminal History Record by contacting the Minnesota Department of Public Safety by: Calling the Minnesota DPS at 651-793-7000 Logging on online at www.bca.state.mn.us/bca.asp Prepare a personal statement Letters of recommendation Send completed Pardon Application to Minnesota Board of...
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The Advent of Traveling with a Clean Criminal Record

Traveling is a beautiful experience. It is a time to enjoy your surroundings and relax. According to a recent report from the United States Travel Association, nearly 77% of Americans travel for leisure. Make the most out of your traveling experience by taking preventative measures. The first step is to determine if your criminal record is eligible for record clearing services. If you are eligible and if your cases proceed so far as to receive a granted order, you can avoid being detained at the border for long periods of time and can lower your chances of being denied entry at the border. For example, with nearly 35 million people visiting Canada every year according to Canada’s Citizenship & Immigration Department, it is pertinent to be aware that Canada is in an information sharing agreement with the United States. That means Canada will be able to see your criminal record information in the United States and can potentially deny you entry into their country. If you are planning on traveling this summer or travel often due to work purposes, ensure efficient travel by clearing your criminal record first. Visit RecordGone.com today to take your Free Eligibility test or call toll free for your over-the-phone consultation at...
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How to Increase Your Chances of Minnesota Employment After Graduation

Going into an interview with the confidence that your academic record will reflect your dedication to your studies, as well as your commitment to be crime-free will enhance your chances of securing employment. Nearly 1.5 million graduates with a bachelor’s degree under the age of 25 are jobless or underemployed, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Studies show that more than 80 percent of employers conduct criminal background checks, so it is safe to assume the jobless rate for graduates with a criminal record is even more bleak. There may be good news for graduates with a criminal record. Many states allow records, especially for young offenders, to have their record cleared. The Law Firm of Higbee & Associates provides a free online eligibility test that will quickly and confidentially tell a person what options are available for clearing a criminal record. The free test can be found at www.RecordGone.com. RecordGone.com can also provide a person with a flat-fee quote to have a criminal record cleared at the court. Whether a person clears their record themselves or hires an attorney, RecordGone.com has two essential services: 1. Expedited Criminal Database Update (ECDU) $150 for Current Clients; $250 for New Clients Update/removal of record from top 500 private background check companies Free criminal background check from BackgroundChecks.com (normally $49) Informational guide and sample letter on how to clear/challenge results of a background check company reporting outdated information $250 credit towards any legal action Higbee & Associates takes on your behalf against a potential employer who wrongfully discriminates against you or a background check company that unlawfully distributes outdated information about you 2. Mugshot Removal & Publication Prevention $399 (Add a $50 discount if done with ECDU) Removes your photo from top mugshot sites and prevents it from being published in the future Covers 80+ mugshot sites 5 year coverage Money-back guarantee if a mugshot is posted on a listed site and it is not removed from the site within 30 days of notifying us Service begins when we receive the court order showing your record has been cleared Contact RecordGone.Com today by visiting our website or calling us toll free at 866-534-7049 to see how you can get started today to securing a solid future after...
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