Ohio criminal records bill

Ohio has a bill proposal that would modify the list of offenses which can’t be sealed, require the sealing of those found not guilty, and allowing certain persons, not first offenders, to apply for orders sealing their records.

Proponents of the bill say it would apply only to low-level, nonviolent offenders, but an article in this morning’s Cleveland Plain Dealer quotes Portage County prosecutor Victor Vigluicci as one opposing it, saying that as the bill’s currently written it includes felonies such as manslaughter, reckless homicide, domestic violence, stalking, and abduction; which he feels are too violent to qualify for any type of explungment.

Senate Bill 197

Ohio FALCON sweeps

Police officials from 34 local, state, and federal agencies, led by U.S. Marshals, rounded up 218 felons they had warrants on last week. An article in this morning’s Columbus Dispatch said it was one of the largest ever undertaken in that city .

Similar roundups have also been being done throughout the summer under a program the Marshal’s Service calls “Federal & Local Cops Organized Nationally,” including Washington state, Arizona, and Texas.

“FALCON” was launched in 2005 to apprehend fugitives at the same time Congress was refocusing the FBI’s mission to stopping terrorism. (Website)

Indiana Credit Report Freeze

Starting tomorrow, Indiana residents will find what supporters & lawmakers say is better protection and a greater safeguard against consumer fraud when their new law goes into effect.

The bill, introduced in January, was signed by the Governor on May 2nd..

According to a Courier Journal article, taking advantage of the new law will be a bit inconvenient for consumers until after Jan. 2009, because they can invoke or release credit freezes only in writing until then. After Jan. 1, 2009, the new law requires credit bureaus have systems in place that will allow use by either telephone or the Internet.