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Reform Advocate Has Felony Conviction Expunged Under New Law

Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet

A Kentucky reform advocate has become one of the first to have his felony record expunged under a new state law passed during the 2016 General Assembly.

"It came back to bite me so many times. I mean getting a job, voting, just all kind of things," West Powell says in a video released by state Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. "It really, really, really disables you."

Powell is credited with changing hearts and minds in the Kentucky legislature on the expungement question. Convicted of a stealing a car radio nearly three decades ago, the 45-year-old has since served his sentence, paid restitution, gone back to school, and started his own business – but he told a judiciary committee in Hopkinsville in 2015 ticking the felony box on applications has created endless hurdles.

"I've beared this cross for a long time. I know I made a mistake and I think I paid for that mistake, you know, four times over," he told the panel.

Now, thanks to the passage of House Bill 40 – which went into effect Friday – Powell may have a new lease on life. Marc Theriault, general counsel for the state Administrative Office of the Courts, says the first stop for the more than 60,000 other Kentuckians who could follow Powell’s lead should be ky.courts.gov.

"Our statewide website has all the information that anyone needs to determine their eligibility, to see if their charges are eligible for expungement. There's a step-by-step  how-to guide that members of the public can use if they want to learn more," he says.

Theriault warns that for many the process will likely take months to complete.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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