By the middle of next week, the Santa Clara County Superior
Court will reduce or expunge over 11,500 backlogged marijuana conviction
records for more than 9,000 people, the court said in a news release Friday.

“The Santa Clara County Superior Court is pleased to be
able to order the record clearance of thousands of people today,”
Presiding Judge Deborah A. Ryan said in a statement. “We hope this process
will provide a sense of closure to those individuals. Having a clear record
also will assist those seeking employment, an issue that is especially
important as businesses begin the process of reopening.”

The State of California decriminalized the personal
possession and use of recreational marijuana with the passage of Proposition 64
in November 2016.

Judge Eric S. Geffon will officially administer the
expungements at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, in Dept. 41 of the Santa Clara County Hall
of Justice at 190 West Hedding St. Reporters will be allowed to be inside the
courtroom with Geffon on Wednesday, but must email media@scscourt.org to RSVP.