EMPOWERING VETERANS THROUGH EXPUNGEMENT
Across Arizona, Veterans’ Stand Down events serve as a critical initiative aimed at supporting and empowering military veterans who have dedicated their lives to service. These events provide a unique opportunity for veterans to access essential services, resources and support systems—all in one place.
Included among the most needed services at a Stand Down is free legal aid provided by organizations like those that make up the Reclaim Your Future marijuana expungement campaign.
“Our organization attends the Stand Down events to ensure that our nation’s most vulnerable and most deserving population is aware of our services, that other service providers are aware of what we offer, and to educate ourselves about other vital services available for our clients,” said Charles Doughty, senior attorney for DNA People’s Legal Services, a Flagstaff-based legal aid provider and Reclaim Your Future coalition partner.
The statewide coalition, which includes DNA and six other legal aid and community outreach organizations across Arizona, plays a vital role in enabling veterans and anyone with a marijuana-related arrest or conviction to overcome the challenges associated with a criminal record and reestablish their lives in a positive way.
“Expungement can help veterans clean up their record and improve their chances at opening the doors afforded to them through these clearances.”
What is a Veteran’s Stand Down?
According to the American Legion, the Veterans’ “Stand Down” is “named for a military term for a combat unit’s time to rest and recover while at war.” Today, it is a grassroots effort that brings together service providers, government agencies, nonprofits and volunteers offering comprehensive support to unhoused and at-risk veterans.
A Stand Down typically spans multiple days and provides a safe and welcoming environment where veterans can access a wide range of services all under one roof. The services offered at a Veterans’ Stand Down include:
Healthcare
Veterans can receive medical and dental check-ups, mental health counseling, and access to necessary medications.
Housing Assistance
Representatives from housing agencies offer information about housing programs, rental assistance, and transitional housing options.
Employment Support
Veterans can explore employment opportunities, receive assistance with resume writing and interview skills, and access job training programs.
Social Services
Veterans can connect with organizations that offer assistance with obtaining identification documents, applying for benefits, and accessing food and clothing resources.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Information and referrals to drug treatment programs and counseling services are provided to veterans in need of assistance.
Legal Aid
Legal professionals are available to provide guidance on various legal matters, including expungement and clearing of criminal records.
Marijuana Expungement Efforts in Arizona
Arizona has taken positive steps towards the reform of laws that criminalize marijuana. In 2020, voters approved Proposition 207, legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for individuals aged 21 and older. Additionally, the legislation included provisions for expungement, allowing individuals with certain marijuana-related convictions and arrests to petition the court for expungement or the reduction of charges.
During Veterans’ Stand Downs, legal aid professionals and representatives from organizations specializing in criminal justice reform, including the Reclaim Your Future campaign, are available to guide veterans through the process of expungement. They provide information on eligibility criteria, necessary documentation, and the legal procedures involved. This support ensures that veterans can navigate the expungement process effectively, removing the burden of past marijuana convictions and opening doors to new opportunities.
“With veterans, we see a lot of older drug cases—the kind that you just can’t believe are still on someone’s record,” said Angela DeMarse, a supervising attorney for the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office (MCPD), who often refers cases to the Reclaim Your Future campaign. DeMarse supervises a team of law clerks and interns in the office, many of whom work on expungements, civil rights restoration, and other work for people with a conviction history.
“If it’s a simple expungement, the prosecutor’s office will usually put it through without objection,” said DeMarse, who’s worked for MCPD since 2011. “But these cases are not always clear cut. And that’s when the Reclaim Your Future campaign has been great—when someone has a complex expungement.”
The Importance of Marijuana Expungement to Veterans
Marijuana expungement has emerged as a crucial topic within the context of Veterans’ Stand Downs, as many veterans face legal consequences due to past marijuana convictions. Expungement refers to the process of sealing or undoing the legal consequences of criminal records. For veterans, expungement holds particular significance, as it can help alleviate the barriers they face in rebuilding their lives. Past marijuana convictions can hinder employment prospects, access to housing, educational opportunities, and obtaining professional licenses.
“Many veterans return to the civilian workforce seeking employment in fields that require heightened clearance such as a fingerprint clearance card,” Doughty said. “Expungement can help these veterans clear or clean up their record and improve their chances at opening the doors afforded to them through these clearances.”
“These cases are not always clear cut. And that’s when the Reclaim Your Future campaign has been great–when someone has a complex expungement.”
By expunging these records, veterans can reduce the obstacles they encounter as they reintegrate into civilian life, as is the case, Doughty said, for a recent DNA People’s Legal Services veteran-client.
“That person is working on obtaining his fingerprint clearance card in order to maintain his current employment. Three expungement petitions cleaned up his record and put him in better standing to obtain that clearance card,” Doughty said. “We’re hopeful that his good cause exception is granted. Even if he does not obtain his fingerprint clearance card, he no longer has any marijuana-related records that could negatively impact his ability to find work.”
Visit the RYF Table at the Next Stand Down!
If you’re a veteran with a marijuana-related conviction or arrest, you can speak with the Reclaim Your Future team at the George Willie, Sr. Memorial Veterans’ Stand Down in Flagstaff on Thursday, June 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional details, see https://azexpunge.org/legal-clinic/george-willie-sr-memorial-veterans-stand-down-flagstaff-06-29-23/
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