Welcome to the June issue of Marketplace Matters! The weather is heating up...and so is our content! Keep a lookout for our upcoming Torch News, which will be hitting Accredited Businesses' mailboxes around July.

Speaking of Torch...our deadline for nominating a business for the Torch Awards is quickly approaching. If you haven't already, be sure to cast your nomination on or before June 30th!

Join us next Saturday (June 27th) at Camp Miakonda from 9 AM - 1 PM to safely dispose of your sensitive documents.

— Lane Montz
President & CEO

Expungement in Ohio: What Consumers Should Know

By The Simpson Law Office — Expert Contributor

For many people in Ohio, an old criminal case is the one thing standing between them and a better job, housing, or schooling. The good news is that Ohio has significantly expanded its “second chance” laws over the last decade, especially in the last few years. If you or a loved one has a record, it may be a better time than ever to see whether expungement or record sealing is possible.

A Quick History: How We Got Here

For many years, Ohio’s main tool for cleaning up a record was record sealing, not expungement. Sealing hides a case from most public background checks, but certain government agencies and law enforcement can still see it. Expungement, by contrast, is meant to destroy the record so it cannot be retrieved. Historically, true expungement in Ohio was rare. One of the first modern expungement laws covered survivors of human trafficking, allowing certain convictions tied to their victimization to be wiped out. Later, Ohio added specific expungement options for certain low-level drug offenses, usually only when a prosecutor requested it. In 2018, Senate Bill 66 widened who could qualify for relief by expanding eligibility and giving courts more flexibility with record sealing. The biggest leap, though, came with Senate Bill 288, a large criminal-justice reform bill that took effect in April 2023. SB 288 created a broader expungement process for adult convictions and rewrote many of the waiting periods and eligibility rules. As a result, many Ohioans who were previously told they did not qualify may now have options they didn’t have before.

Sealing vs. Expungement Under Current Law

Under current Ohio law, people can often request record sealing, expungement, or both, depending on the type of case.

Record sealing: 

• Hides the record from most public background checks.
• Certain agencies and law enforcement may still access it.

Expungement:

• Requires destruction or deletion of the record so that it is no longer retrievable.
• In day-to-day life, this is closer to the record never having occurred, though there are limited exceptions.

Because the rules differ, an attorney may consider whether sealing, expungement, or a combination is best in a specific case.

Who May Qualify Today?

Eligibility depends on several factors:

• Many non-violent misdemeanors and lower-level felonies can now be considered for sealing and later expungement.
• Serious offenses—such as major violent crimes, sex offenses, and crimes involving children—generally remain ineligible.
• Traffic and OVI/DUI offenses are treated differently and are often not eligible for expungement.

Number of convictions:

• Recent laws allow more convictions to be considered than in the past, particularly when they are lower-level and non-violent.

Waiting periods:

• You must wait a certain amount of time after completing all terms of the case—jail, probation, fines—before applying.
• Many sealing waiting periods were shortened under SB 288, while expungement typically requires a longer wait.

No new criminal conduct:

• Courts usually require no new charges or convictions during the waiting period.

Dismissed cases, not-guilty verdicts, and grand-jury no bills are often eligible for sealing or expungement much sooner than convictions.

What the Process Looks Like

While the process can vary by county, most cases involve:

Identifying all prior cases, determining eligibility under the most current laws, filing an application with the court that handled the original charge, providing notice to the prosecutor, who may object, and attending a court hearing if one is scheduled.

If the court grants the request, it will issue an order directing agencies and courts to seal or expunge the record.

Why This Matters for Consumers

A cleared record can make a dramatic difference when applying for employment, seeking housing, or pursuing education or professional licensing. Ohio’s recent changes reflect a growing understanding that people are more than their worst mistake and that allowing people to move forward benefits families, employers, and communities.

Practical Reminders

• Expungement and sealing laws are technical and often updated.
• Two people with similar records can get different outcomes based on the exact circumstances.
• Online summaries can be outdated—consult current legal resources or a qualified attorney.
• Be cautious of paid services that promise results without reviewing your actual court history.

**This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Anyone with questions about their eligibility should consult a knowledgeable attorney or legal aid organization.**

BBB Scam Alert: be cautious of messages threatening to arrest you for 'missing jury duty'

If you recently received a call claiming you missed jury duty and need to pay, along with official-looking documents saying there’s a warrant out for your arrest, don't be alarmed yet. 

The FTC recently released an article urging consumers to ignore calls, texts and emails threatening to arrest you for missing jury duty. Scammers have began to call consumers and claim to be a U.S. Marshal or a police offer. They may even claim to know your full name or address. However, the red flag waves when they demand you to pay a fine using a payment app or cryptocurrency. To convince you, scammers may send you a document that looks like an official warrant for your arrest, complete with a fine. This is all designed to scare you, and make you pay quickly without thinking.

Real law enforcement will never text or email you an arrest warrant. Scammers can also spoof phone numbers to imitate local police or government. No government agency will demand payment over the phone.

If you feel someone is attempting to scam you, report it at https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/reportscam and ReportFraud.ftc.gov!

Moo's Tip: choosing a wedding florist!

• Get recommendations from friends and family. If you have a wedding planner, you can also ask them for recommendations on vendors!
• Check with your venue. Some event venues have a list of pre-approved vendors; if so, you must choose one from their list. 
• Review photos of previous weddings at your venue to get an idea of what works best in the space.
• Make a list of everything you will need!
• Shop local and use BBB.org to read what previous customers say, and see how the business responds to complaints.
• Request written bids. Sit down with at least three vendors to talk through what you want, what flowers are in season, and what may match. 
• Get a detailed, written purchase order. All the important order elements should be specified. Verify that the details match what you requested, and the budget aligns. 
• Put down a deposit once both you and the florist have signed the contract. Never pre-pay in full, and use a credit card if at all possible. 
• Consider purchasing wedding insurance. Wedding flowers can be expensive, and it isn’t always possible to anticipate problems!
• Check in closer to the wedding day. Don’t wait until the last moment to check on your order; leave yourself advance time to handle an emergency.