EXPUNGEMENT

Continued from Page 1 in a manner similar to the State of Oregon.

Given that certain activity is now legal on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the BOT wanted to make sure that those who have been convicted in tribal court for activity now deemed legal are able to get their prior, now legal, criminal convictions expunged.

The CTUIR Office of Legal Counsel has provided information about the expungement process, which follows.

What can be expunged?

Any convictions for Dangerous Drugs, Criminal Activity in Drugs, or Criminal Use of Drugs by a person who was 21 or older at the time can be expunged provided the underlying reason for the conviction was due to possession of up to:

Ctuir Language Lesson

Edition: Xawit̓álxawit̓al (Imatalamłaamí Sɨ́nwit), qeqíit̓al (weyiiletpuutímt)

Imatalamłaamí Sɨ́nwit

English

During feasts, the First Foods are counted out in the following order:

Waykáanaš

Ɨwínat

X̣nít

Tmaanít

Čúuš

Pyax̣í

X̣áwš

Lúukš

Xawit̓álxawit̓al (Means “little ripening”, referring to plant growth) qeqíit̓al (Refers to the roots that grow at this time of year)

Fish (Salmon)

Meat (Deer, Elk)

Roots (things that are dug)

Berries (things that are picked)

Water

Bitterroot (Lewisia Rediviva)

Desert Parsley, Cous (Lomatium cous)

Indian Potato (Lomatium canbyi)

April a. 8 ounces of usable marijuana if on private property or in a private vehicle (dried leaves and flowers) or 1 ounces of useable marijuana if in public (dried leaves and flowers), b. If an Oregon Marijuana Medical Marijuana Program cardholder or designated primary caregiver of someone with an Oregon Medical Marijuana Program cardholder, 24 ounces of usable marijuana (dried leaves and flowers) on private property or in a private vehicle, c. 1 ounce cannabinoid extract or concentrate that is purchased from a marijuana retailer licensed by the CTUIR or the State of Oregon, d. 16 ounces of cannabinoid product in solid form that is purchased from a marijuana retailer licensed by the CTUIR or the State of Oregon, e. 72 ounces of cannabinoid product in liquid form that is purchased from a marijuana retailer licensed by the CTUIR or the State of Oregon, f. 10 marijuana seeds, or g. 4 marijuana plants.

How do I get my conviction expunged?

Unfortunately, the CTUIR does not have a records system that would allow it to simply pull up all convictions for Dangerous Drugs, Criminal Activity in Drugs, or Criminal Use of Drugs that involve possession of marijuana in amounts now deemed legal. Any attempt to do so would be piecemeal and many people who qualify would likely be missed.

To better ensure those who now have a right to seek expungement are able to do so, the law allows a person who has such a conviction to petition the court to expunge their record for free. This is governed by Chapter 6 of the Criminal Code, which can be found on the CTUIR website, and outlines the processes and procedures.

Will someone help me file for an expungement?

The CTUIR is currently working on trying to get the Portland Community College CLEAR Project to return to the Umatilla Indian Reservation this this summer (tentatively June 27th-July 2nd) to assist people in getting their criminal convictions expunged.