BLOG

The City Council in Columbus, Ohio voted to implement a policy that empowers eligible residents to have certain types of criminal records sealed.

The Expungement Initiative

Columbus, Ohio's City Council established a program that will allow residents of Columbus and Franklin counties to initiate the expungement process for eligible criminal records. They also approved the creation of a website to help people determine if and how they can have their records sealed.

The Opportunity Port site asks visitors to create a profile and connect with an attorney online. From there, a legal service provider helps the individual complete a formal request and schedule a hearing at which their application will be reviewed by a judge.

Should the judge agree that a record warrants expunction, then the final step is for the court to have that record sealed. Once this occurs, it will no longer be publicly available. From then on, it cannot be reviewed or considered by employers, landlords or other entities which make decisions about consumers.

Support For Sealing Records

According to the Opportunity Port site, having a record sealed can provide various benefits such as enabling people to get better housing, find gainful employment and earn more money. Members of the City Council have been highly supportive of this initiative.

Shayla Favor, chair of the Criminal Justice Committee, said: "A criminal record should not be a life sentence to poverty. But the reality is that any criminal record, no matter how old or minor can elicit a lifetime of collateral consequences by acting as a barrier to employment, a higher education, and overall economic instability."

Kyle Strickland, Senior Legal Analyst at The Ohio State University Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity, commented that this policy will create various opportunities. He said: "We know that far too many people have been left behind in systems of poverty and are trapped in systems of inequality. A record makes it even harder to get a job, to be able to get housing, and then we place the blame on people because of the circumstances that they are in. No more. We cannot continue to do that."

What Employers Should Know

Employers in Franklin and Columbus counties should be aware that this Initiative will likely result in numerous residents having eligible records sealed. They may not consider those records when making any employment related decision. People who have their records expunged may legally say they do not have a criminal history.

They should also know background checks are an essential tool which enable hiring managers to learn more about applicants, employees, volunteers and contractors. These reports provide a wealth of information that empower organizations to make informed decisions and create safe workplaces.

When You Need Employment Screening Services

Consumer Reporting Agencies produce background checks which provide current, accurate data and do not include records that are expunged or otherwise unavailable to employers. Hiring managers can use the information they provide to help determine if a person meets their qualifications or if they have a conviction that might indicate they pose an undue risk to the business, staff or community. Screening anyone who might represent your brand is an essential part of the due diligence process.

When you need employment screening services, please contact us. Our experienced team can help you customize background check packages for any position. We are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm PT.