2008 Events --> March 4, 2008

Onetime criminals could be cleared
BY JOHN GALLAGHER • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano announced Wednesday a way to let onetime, nonviolent offenders wipe out their criminal records by staying clean for five years.

In an upbeat State of the County speech Wednesday night at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Ficano also revealed that a German company, IAV Automotive Engineering, will build a $16.5-million North American headquarters in the county this year. A crowd of about 300 people interrupted the speech frequently with applause.

Ficano pitched his plan to give prior criminal offenders an opportunity to clear their records as an economic development initiative -- a way to help residents find jobs.

"Today, one simple indiscretion can permanently block a person's pursuit of a barber's or real estate license or many other state licenses," he said. "We need to reopen those job opportunities for citizens who qualify for a second chance."

Ficano called his plan STEP, for Second Chance Through Expungement Program. Under the plan, residents who have had only one, nonviolent conviction and who have lived a clean life for at least five years would be eligible to set aside that past conviction.

Greg Mathis, the TV personality, former 36th District Court judge and former gang member whom Ficano called "America's favorite judge," has agreed to help promote the STEP program, Ficano said.

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STEP contact: Richard Jones, 640 Temple (5th Floor), Detroit, 48201 | email

For more about a May 13 town hall at East Lake Baptist Church and other STEP related information, please call (313) 833-4587