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H.R.5492 the "Fresh Start Act of 2010"

Public Comments (981)
  • Apr 29th, 2011
    Someone from Portland, OR writes:
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    It is enough that men and women have served the term of imprisonment imposed, that they should not carry upon them the burden of their conviction for the rest of their lives. Let the people enjoy life as free men and women, for this is America. Steven Long Below I quote President Thomas Jefferson: A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government. Thomas Jefferson A wise and frugal Government, which shall retrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. Thomas Jefferson
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  • Apr 29th, 2011
    Someone from Fitzgerald, GA signed.
  • Apr 28th, 2011
    Someone from Redding, CT signed.
  • Apr 27th, 2011
    Someone from Arlington, VA signed.
  • Apr 25th, 2011
    Someone from Madison, TN signed.
  • Apr 24th, 2011
    Someone from Newport Beach, CA signed.
  • Apr 23rd, 2011
    Someone from Redding, CT writes:
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    it's time for this change
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  • Apr 23rd, 2011
    Someone from Washington, DC writes:
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    It's a shame that State offenders can expunge more serious convictions but not the federal offenders. The laws for federal expungement needs serious revisions. Even people who have their federal charges dismissed are not able to expunge their federal arrest records as per the current law and it is very unfair. Please pass this bill
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  • Apr 23rd, 2011
    Someone from North Hampton, NH signed.
  • Apr 23rd, 2011
    Someone from Seattle, WA signed.
  • Apr 13th, 2011
    Someone from Perris, CA writes:
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    H.R. 5492 will help thousands of PEOPLE to get jobs and off of the street. You want to help people? You make sure this passes. Ex-felons ARE people and they know what they did wrong. But Congress and private employers need to stop looking at ex-felons like they are dogs. Look them in the eye. They are your fellow human being.
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  • Apr 13th, 2011
    Someone from Broussard, LA writes:
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    I also feel once sentence has been served these men deserve the right to start over...please everyone get on board and lets get this done.
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  • Apr 12th, 2011
    Someone from Hemet, CA writes:
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    Yes, I have felonies....and I did the time, paid my fines, am extremely sorry for the things I did in my past. I have a degree, but still can't get a job because of my felony background. None of which are violent! I want my life back, and don't want to stay in this boat that I was in for soooooo long! Please give us a second chance! I'm also the facilitator for "Alternatives for a 2nd Chance" workshop for expungement. And a volunteer for the County of Riverside. I'm trying so hard to stay on track and help others do the same. We don't deserve to be treated like this! Thanks
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  • Mar 30th, 2011
    Someone from Old Hickory, TN signed.
  • Mar 22nd, 2011
    Someone from Aurora, CO signed.
  • Mar 21st, 2011
    Someone from Inver Grove Heights, MN writes:
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    Forget the convicted felon - instead think of their families, their spouses and their children. Once released and done serving their entire sentence they become a burden to society because of society. They are unable to get ANY job that performs a background check and they are limited in housing options. Their family must rely on the county to support them all because of a non-violent felony on their record? This is insanity at its finest. Lets charge them, release them, take away any possibililty of work and housing and then wonder why they return? It is better for their families financially for them not to be present. This needs to change.
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  • Mar 21st, 2011
    Someone from Overland Park, KS writes:
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    My husband is a good man that is having trouble providing for our family due to a federal felony conviction of Grand Larceny in 1997. He embezzled 5,000 dollars from a bank he worked at over time in order to pay his bills so that he would not be homeless. He admitted to doing the crime, and even helped the FBI by telling them in detail how he did it, in order to help them prevent it from happening in the same method in the future. He served his five years probation and paid it back in full plus interest with restitution. He has had no other run in with the except for minor traffic violations, and some civil suits for outstanding bills. He is currently in college obtaining his Bachelors in Science IT Networking Administration in order to obtain a better life for our family. He has been running into the same road block over and over when trying to obtain a job. That road block would be the question of conviction of a felony. He is not violent, he has never been convicted of drugs or alcohol offense. He is a good man that made a big mistake when he was much younger. Should he have to pay for that mistake for the rest of his life?
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  • Mar 21st, 2011
    Someone from Overland Park, KS writes:
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    I was convicted of Federal Grand Larceny in 1997. I have never been convicted of anything other than traffic offenses before or since. I am currently obtaining my Bachelors of Science in IT Network Administration. I have four kids and am having immense trouble finding a job in my chosen career field due to this convictions. I served my five years probation, helped the FBI with determining how I committed the crime, and paid restitution in full. I would like a second chance at life by having the same right the local and state felons have at expunging their record after adhering to the punishment handed down by the courts.
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  • Mar 16th, 2011
    Someone from Santa Maria, CA signed.
  • Mar 8th, 2011
    Someone from Glen Cove, NY signed.
  • Mar 4th, 2011
    Someone from Southaven, MS writes:
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    It's a shame that a non violent mistake and crime at a young age can carry with it a life sentence and prevent someone from ever accomplishing their career dreams or reaching their full potential as a citizen. Please pass this.
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  • Mar 2nd, 2011
    Someone from Alexandria, VA signed.
  • Feb 28th, 2011
    Someone from Ocean Springs, MS signed.
  • Feb 25th, 2011
    Someone from Humacao, PR writes:
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    we deserve a second change,i do my time and went to a boot camp .I learn whit this mistake tahat life can be better but my record dont let it happend.
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  • Feb 22nd, 2011
    Someone from Fallbrook, CA signed.
  • Feb 22nd, 2011
    Someone from New Orleans, LA signed.
  • Feb 22nd, 2011
    Someone from Kaplan, LA signed.
  • Feb 22nd, 2011
    Someone from Ocean Springs, MS writes:
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    Mr. President, I owned a house damaged from Hurricane Katrina; however was not living in my only house when Katrina damaged my home by tidal surge. Come to find out I wasn't eligible for FEMA, OR HUD assistance until after the fact. My only house I owned but didn't live in. Sometimes I feel that this whole idea was a political head hunt to save face for FEMA and its major miss management. I've served my time, paid restitution, community service, and have gone on to achieve post graduate degree, and national certifications. But still can't achieve a business or employment due to my only criminal record, "Federal Felony." I feel as if I'm treated no better than a murder, terrorist, or child a sex offender who is haunted for the rest of their lives. Please Mr. President support this bill for those who really deserve a second chance at life.
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  • Feb 19th, 2011
    Someone from Lenoir, NC writes:
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    I made a mistake 20 years ago, when I was 16 and I am still being punished. I have been a good citizen, since then, and have obtained my bachelors degree. Now having a bachelors degree, potential employers look and see that my cases were dismissed and thrown out, but they also see what the courts tried to charge me with and I still get the boot. Please help.
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  • Feb 16th, 2011
    Someone from Green Bay, WI signed.
  • Feb 8th, 2011
    Someone from Kansas City, MO signed.
  • Feb 6th, 2011
    Someone from Minneapolis, MN signed.
  • Feb 6th, 2011
    Someone from San Francisco, CA writes:
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    ?Fresh Start Act of 2010? Dear President I would like to draw your attention to H. R. 5492, a Bill designed to provide relief for first time nonviolent Federal offenders by creating a possibility for expungement of their criminal records. This Bill would boost our economy, while assisting thousands of Americans, allowing them to get their lives back, gain meaningful employment, and become productive members of society once again. While some State courts already allow for this type of relief, the Federal system does not. At this moment H. R. 5492 sits in the House Judiciary Subcommittee. I believe criminals should be punished, but I also believe in fairness. First time nonviolent offenders should have an opportunity to get their lives back once they have paid their required debt to society. As it stands, no one with a single Federal felony conviction can. I ask for your support in moving this Bill forward so it can be voted on in a proper manner. I know there is not enough time for everything, but there should be for something as important and sensible as this is to a productive citizenry. If there is anything I can do to help get it passed please let me know. Sincerely, Priya Patel
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  • Feb 6th, 2011
    Someone from San Francisco, CA writes:
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    ?Fresh Start Act of 2010? Dear President I would like to draw your attention to H. R. 5492, a Bill designed to provide relief for first time nonviolent Federal offenders by creating a possibility for expungement of their criminal records. This Bill would boost our economy, while assisting thousands of Americans, allowing them to get their lives back, gain meaningful employment, and become productive members of society once again. While some State courts already allow for this type of relief, the Federal system does not. At this moment H. R. 5492 sits in the House Judiciary Subcommittee. I believe criminals should be punished, but I also believe in fairness. First time nonviolent offenders should have an opportunity to get their lives back once they have paid their required debt to society. As it stands, no one with a single Federal felony conviction can. I ask for your support in moving this Bill forward so it can be voted on in a proper manner. I know there is not enough time for everything, but there should be for something as important and sensible as this is to a productive citizenry. If there is anything I can do to help get it passed please let me know. Sincerely, Priya Patel
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  • Feb 5th, 2011
    Someone from Browns Summit, NC writes:
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    I don't remember anything in the bible that says one must be punished a life time for one mistake.
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  • Feb 5th, 2011
    Someone from Browns Summit, NC writes:
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    I don't remember anything in the bible that says one must be punished a life time for one mistake.
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  • Feb 3rd, 2011
    Someone from Naperville, IL signed.
  • Feb 3rd, 2011
    Someone from Phoenix, AZ signed.
  • Feb 3rd, 2011
    Someone from Surprise, AZ signed.
  • Feb 2nd, 2011
    Someone from Cathedral City, CA writes:
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    Ive known several people in this exact scenario and it just is NOT fair! I feel if anyone that makes any mistake, non violent and it happens to be a federal felony, then they serve their time, pay restitution and get on with their lives and DO NOT do anything else wrong, then the records should either be sealed permanently or just dissolved altogether!!! Why should anyone be held down for their remaining lifetime just because of 1 mistake. Let them get on with their lives! Basically what it all comes down to is...FORGIVE AND FORGET!!! Just my 2 cents worth. Good luck to all that must deal with this type of insanity.
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