Aug 23, 2017
A new West Virginia law went into effect on July 7th that has far reaching implications for anyone who has been convicted of a non-violent felony.
The new law, known as the "Second Chance for Employment Act," allows people who have served out nonviolent felony convictions to petition for reduction of the felony to misdemeanor status.
A broad category of offenses is eligible for consideration under the law. The law requires the convicted felon to petition the Circuit Court, pay the requisite fee, and the ultimate decision is up to the Circuit Court Judge. The law will not permit the reduced misdemeanor to be expunged.