Congressman Steve Cohen (Democrat from Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District) introduced expungement legislation entitled the Fresh Start Act.  If enacted, the law would provide much needed relief to many federal offenders and provide incentives for states to provide similar relief for ... Continue reading

Arizona will join Alaska and Vermont in allowing people to carry a concealed weapon without a permit in 2010.   Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (Republican) signed the pro-Second Amendment law that will go into affect 90 days after the current legislation ... Continue reading

Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch is urging the Rhode Island Senate to pass Senate Bill 2646. The bill would greatly reduce the waiting period for people who have successfully completed a deferred sentence, as well as expand eligibility ... Continue reading

For the 10th year in a row, Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY) introduced the Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act.  Unfortunately, the bill will has meet the same fate as it had in previous years, this despite the fact that a Democrats ... Continue reading

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn granted 147 pardons, authorized 2 persons who had already received pardons to seek expungement of their convictions, and denied 258 petitions. Quinn denied 260 requests for relief. Since taking office in January of 2009, Governor Quinn ... Continue reading