Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes Makes Big Announcement

Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes announced that she will host WNY’s Inaugural Marijuana Expungement Clinics this spring. The 2019 Marijuana Expungement bill (A.8420-A), allows for the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana and expunges the records of those with low-level conviction records of Penal Law 221.05 and Penal Law 221.10.

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The Marijuana Expungement Clinics will take place

Saturday, April 10th and April 24th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Gerard Place, 2515 Bailey Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215
Thursday, April 22nd, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Buffalo and Erie County Library, 1 Lafayette Square Buffalo, NY 14203.

As one method of empowering disproportionately disenfranchised communities, Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes’ Office is collaborating with the following community partners: Daemen College Paralegal Department, University at Buffalo Law Alumni Association, Neighborhood Legal Services, Legal Aid of Buffalo, Minority Bar Foundation, Center for Elder Law and Justice and local attorneys and paralegals.

It has been estimated that there are roughly 5,000 residents in the City of Buffalo impacted by these convictions. Each person that pre-registers for a session will have the opportunity to be a “client for the day”, sitting down with a licensed attorney to be briefed on the law’s benefits and to make an informed decision on whether to apply for destruction of said records. Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “I’m proud to be able to bring this service to City of Buffalo residents and would like to thank all of our legal partners for making these clinics possible.

Each individual’s case and circumstances are unique, so it’s important that everyone be informed of their rights under this law because they should have the opportunity to decide whether having their marijuana conviction records destroyed is the right call for them.”

ALBANY OFFICE: Legislative Office Bldg Rm 926, Albany, NY 12248 * 518-455-5005
DISTRICT OFFICE: 425 Michigan Ave., Suite 107, Buffalo, NY 14203 * 716-897-9714

Margaret Phillips, Department Chair and Associate Professor Paralegal Studies at Daemen College commented, “Daemen is excited for this important collaborative opportunity to partner with the Western New York legal community and Assembly Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes. This effort is meaningful as it will potentially have a life changing impact on people and is a significant way that higher education can assist.

The Paralegal Studies program is grateful for this opportunity to give back to our community.” Katelyn E. Niedermier, Senior Staff Attorney for Neighborhood Legal Services stated, “Expunged criminal records are confidential but still available in certain circumstances. Having records of the arrest, prosecution, and criminal history destroyed can be extremely beneficial, but folks need information about the pros and cons of destruction, along with help applying for destruction if that’s the best option. We’re excited to partner with these organizations to share this important legal information with the community and increase access to our services.”

Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes represents the New York State Assembly’s 141st District. The district includes sections of North Buffalo, Allentown, Larkinville, the downtown central business district, and the entire East side of Buffalo. More information on the 141st district and the Assemblywoman can be found at http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Crystal-D-Peoples-Stokes.