Maine considers automatically sealing thousands of low-level criminal records

By: Emma Davis

Outlets: Maine Morning Star

Published: February 26, 2026

Words: 1,559

Last Updated: 2 weeks ago

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When Maine began providing people with now-legal marijuana crimes a path to get their records sealed two years ago, it didn’t cost the state any additional money, to the initial confusion of many.

It was because the process, which requires someone to petition the court to seal their conviction if they meet the legal requirements, is rarely used.

That’s why some lawmakers, businesses, substance abuse and criminal justice advocates are instead pushing for …

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