Dear Senators Coons and Cornyn,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for S. 2596, the “Kenneth P. Thompson Begin Again Act.”
Under current law (18 U.SC. §3607), an individual can have a minor drug possession offense expunged from their criminal record if they have no prior convictions, are placed on pre-judgment probation (at the court’s discretion), have the proceedings against them dismissed, and are 21 years of age or younger. Your legislation would amend the statute by eliminating the age restriction of this rule while preserving the original stringent requirements.
Federal law recognizes that certain individuals deserve a second chance and defendants charged with a first-time simple possession who meet certain conditions should be afforded that chance unrestricted by age. The law should be just, and this narrow benefit should be available to all defendants who meet the rest of the law’s requirements.
On behalf of the more than 367,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I am proud to offer our support for this legislation. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President