News and Stories Featuring Our Co-Principal Investigators
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Professor Elsa Chen leads a team of student researchers in studying the life-changing impact of new automatic expungement laws. By Nicole Calande | March 31, 2025 Features Elsa Y. Chen |
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"Nonprofits help formerly incarcerated firefighters get jobs" For California’s formerly incarcerated firefighters, finding a full-time job requires time and money. By Caleigh Wells | January 31, 2025 Features Sarah E. Lageson |
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"Background check industry profits off ‘digital punishment,’ despite flawed data" Criminal background checks have become nearly ubiquitous in many settings. But experts warn that reports can be deeply inaccurate, with some records databases containing “phantom crimes” that appear nowhere else in public record. By Caleb Brennan | April 17, 2023 Features Sarah E. Lageson |
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"California could give more than a million people with criminal records a fresh start" Sealing felony records is integral to a bill sitting on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. By Rachel Cohen | September 9, 2022 Features Sarah E. Lageson |
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"Modern Approaches to Expungement" Legal experts share their perspectives on the expungement process. Legal Talk Network | July 12, 2022 Features Sarah E. Lageson |
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"New Arizona law on sealing criminal records may help some renters, but there are limitations" A new state law is expected to give Arizonans with criminal backgrounds a chance to shield their records from public view, improving access to many opportunities, including public housing assistance. By Tyler Dedrick, Rachel Konieczny, Brooke Manning, Elena Santa Cruz | May 23, 2022 Features Sarah E. Lageson |
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"Sure, California will clear your criminal record — if you live in the right place" Counties are responsible for implementing laws to clear low-level drug convictions. Some are doing better than others. By Ericka B. Adams December 8, 2021 Features Ericka B. Adams |
