[ChrisMarshallNY]

> Excluding a very small handful of SVU level crimes everything should be wiped clean after 5 years or so.

My understanding, is that's what the UK does, with an exemption for certain jobs, like teachers and creche hosts. In the US, I think some states have the ability to expunge convictions. Not sure about federal crimes, though.

The "scarlet letter" of a past conviction is a very real issue, and keeps some folks down. People can get past it, though. I know folks that served time for murder, that have very good careers, and people that have misdemeanor records, that have always struggled.

[justin66]

Different states have rules about expungement, as far as what happens automatically, what can be done if an offender convinces a judge, and how much it all costs.

Federal crimes (and I don't think that applies in this person's case since they're in a Maine DOC prison, although drug crimes of this kind easily could be charged by the feds) aren't usually expunged. Even if you receive a pardon, the original crime (and a note of the pardon) will exist on the record.

It's a really strange system. You're meant to lie and say "no" during interviews after your conviction is expunged if you are asked "have you ever been convicted of a crime," although I believe in many states it's now illegal to ask such a question.

[wil421]

My state will automatically expunge non violent misdemeanors after 2010, so if it happened before you have to jump through hoops.

I know people who dropped out of college because they had a very small drug charge, no use in finishing if you will have a scarlet letter over your head forever.

[aerostable_slug]

That's really unfortunate. I work with people who were formally justice-involved every day and their educations have been an aid to them personally and professionally. A felony or a "bad" misdemeanor (e.g. domestic violence) isn't the end of the world, even in the modern US. People can and do overcome the consequences of their mistakes and thrive.