Maryland Legislators Considering Bill That Could Make Nonviolent Misdemeanor Records Private

Members of the public and most employers would be unable to look up the records of some people convicted of nonviolent misdemeanor offenses under a proposal before the state legislature.

The recommendation, under which people could ask the state to shield such information from the public eye after they complete their sentences, was a key recommendation of a task force that examined how best to integrate ex-offenders back into society. But it has faced a tough fight; a similar proposal failed last year amid arguments that citizens are entitled to information about the actions of the legal system.

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