Over 1,000 Marijuana Convictions to be Vacated by Chicago Prosecutor

The prosecutor for the largest county in Illinois filed motions on Wednesday to vacate more than 1,000 low-level marijuana convictions, kicking off the process of clearing tens of thousands of convictions, reports the Associated Press.

“Today, we made history and took the first step in the single largest and most equitable piece of criminal justice reform Illinois has ever seen,” Foxx said in a statement. The effort to expunge records in minor marijuana cases is required by the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.”Technology developed by a non-profit organization called Code For America is already being used elsewhere, most notably in California, to clear thousands of convictions”, states the AP. “Foxx’s office will use the same technology to evaluate eligibility and remove minor marijuana convictions from people’s records at no cost to them and, in many cases, without their knowledge. The defendants will be notified by the court clerk’s office via email or by a letter that the convictions have been expunged.”

The people whose cases are being expunged include “those who were convicted of misdemeanors, or Class 4 felonies, the lowest category of felony in Illinois. Anyone convicted of possessing more than 30 grams must apply individually if they want to have their records expunged.”

“Clearing records is not only a critical part of righting the wrongs of the failed war on drugs, but an intentional step to give people the chance to move forward, which benefits all of our communities,” said Foxx, who is running for re-election against a crowded field of candidates.