"Oregon second chance bill"

     The purpose of my petition is to gather as many signatures for support so that my bill can be introduced to the 2010 House of Representatives for approval. The more signatures I collect, the better the chance of this Bill becoming a reality. I need your support. My bill is called the             %u201CSecond Chance Bill%u201D.

In December of 1995 I was convicted of a crime where there was no bodily harm and my friend stole another kids backpack. I was barley 18 at the time of the incedent. Like so many others I was represented at that age by a court appointed attorney, and in my perticular circumstance was faced with a last minute change of the sentencing Judge, Jack Billings (Who was fairly new to the bench.) And the proscuting counsel David Vill, was also brand new to his position as Assistant DA for for Lane County. With no need to look up these names I remember it like it was yesterday.
   A Couple years after my long incarceration I had a unique oppurntunuty to speak with David Vill (Prosecuting ADA,) at the hotel I worked at. I happened to be the server for his table, along with other local prosecuters and Judges.
   I asked to speak with Mr. Vill and though I had to remind him who I was I just had one question I needed an answer for. I asked him why he was so hard on me being a first time offense and why he pushed the maximum sentence when the punishment seemed to grossly outweigh the crime.... Followed first by an apology, and his commendment on me doing well, His answer was this: I was new and I had seen so many cases they all kind of blended together and its hard to take the time to really look at each individual case, it kind of just becomes my job to prossess people cause I see so much and It all becomes the same to me. Again he apologized and told me he wished he could have been more ------- with me, I thanked him for his honesty and time and that was that. 
   I havn't commited a crime for over 15 years and am not alone when I feel we deserve a (second chance.)
    Recently many corporations have implemented a criminal and credit check on all prospective employees. Rental Housing organization's 3rd party companys all pull background checks and will instantly deney applicants based on a criminal background no matter how much time has lapsed, or what you've done with your life since. Most recently an leasing agent told me It wouldn't matter if I was Bill Gates and my felony was in 1960 that her company she represented would never allow me to lease.
    I think that everyone deserves a second chance. How would you like to be judged your entire life for a mistake that you made when you were young? No matter what accomplishments you make, you are held back because of your past.

Here are a few of the requirements that I feel should be fulfilled before you%u2019re granted a %u201CSecond Chance%u201D:

1) Applicant has been conviction free for 10 years.
2) A resident of the state of Oregon. The conviction could have happened in another state.
3) Hanius crimes would be excluded.
4) Most repeat offenders would be excluded.
5) At least eight professional references that can prove that you have turned your life around since the conviction.
6) And a clear phycological assesment.

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