A new online program is being launched to help people move on with their lives after committing low-level crimes.
"What an amazing day," said Terry Forliti, executive director of Breaking Free, a non-profit that helps victims of sex trafficking escape the trade, and build a better life.
"I still can't get an apartment without someone to co-sign," she said as she joined Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to announce the new online tool.
"We want to lift the burden off Minnesotans, who may have found themselves in trouble, but are now ready to be law-abiding, contributing members of society."
Ellison and a variety of justice-system partners announced the statewide launch of HelpSealMyRecord.org. He says prosecutors will initiate expungement of eligible offenses from Minnesotans’ criminal records anywhere in Minnesota at no cost.
Without an expungement, he said people who have satisfied all the terms of their sentence for an offense that is eligible to be expunged can still have trouble getting good jobs, education, credit, public services, or housing because these offenses often continue to show up on background checks.
He said people can continue to pay an unfair price for their offenses long after they have paid the price that society already asked of them. Among them are people who have themselves been victims of other series crimes — for example, victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.
Ramsey and Washington County started a similar effort last year. This will expand it statewide.
"If you look at the statute, it looks like the schematics of the space shuttle," said Pete Orput, Washington County Attorney. "People struggle and then have to pay lawyers to do it. I don't want that. I want them back, I want them working, and participating in my society, and I'll do it for them."
Dangerous violent criminals would not be allowed to use the service, "The most common offense is a 5th degree controlled substance offense," said John Choi, Ramsey County Attorney. "We need to stop criminalizing addiction."
There is a diversion program in Hennepin County, where prosecutors take the approach that there are times when public safety is best served by diverting first-time offenders from the criminal justice system, "We are interested in more than just prosecuting crime," said Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman. "We care about our community, we care about people having a chance to rebuild their lives. We are ministers of justice, and we're proud of that. Do we make mistakes, we sure do."
Freeman said offenders are referred to social services, chemical dependency or mental health resources. First-time offenders are closely monitored to make sure they meet program expectations.
Freeman said the goals set include accountability, taking advantage of services offered, remaining law-abiding, completing community service, and paying restitution.
The help seal my record dot org initiative is being funded in part with grants and donations from non-profits.
