“A large percentage of Missourians who could to have their criminal records ‘expunged’ have not done so, despite the effects expungement — referred to as ‘clean slate’ — can have on earnings and opportunities.”
“Baker noted many individuals whose records are not expunged struggle to get hired at all, leading to high rates of unemployment.”
“‘For those who are able to secure employment, often they’re prevented from reaching their full earning potential because they may only be able to get hired in those fields with lower wages and lower benefits,’ Baker emphasized.
The Missouri Budget Project’s report showed the percentage Missourians’ wages would increase after expungement would vary, with women experiencing the highest increase of roughly 30%, compared with 17% for men. For Black Missourians, the increase would be an estimated 25%, compared with 18% for white Missourians.
Baker added the 2022 changes in the state’s marijuana laws contribute to it being the perfect time for enacting Clean Slate.
‘What really makes sense about this is that we already are putting together an automatic expungement system for marijuana here in Missouri,’ Baker remarked. ‘The courts are already going to have to do this.’
In 2021, more than 500,000 Missourians were eligible to have their records expunged, but fewer than 1% of them did so. House Bill 352 was introduced by Rep. Phil Christofanelli, R-St. Peters.”
