SC Co. DA’s Office Reduces Or Expunges Marijuana Convictions

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday that it has expunged or reduced more than 13,000 marijuana-related convictions dating back nearly 50 years.

The convictions dating back to 1973 affected more than 9,000 people and were for the use and low-level sales of the drug, which is now legal in California for recreational use following the passage of Proposition 64 in 2016.

Judge Eric Geffon oversaw the clearing or reducing of the convictions at a hearing Wednesday afternoon at the Hall of Justice in San Jose.

"Too many people who have committed low-level offenses and paid their debt to society remain hampered by old criminal records in their efforts to get back on track," District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a news release. "The justice system must always evolve toward fairness and equality."

Prior to Wednesday's hearing, people convicted in Santa Clara County of marijuana-related charges had to petition the court to have their records expunged, sealed or reduced, according to the district attorney's office.

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