Iowa's legislature is in talks of passing a new bill that will, if passed, eliminate old criminal charges for drinking. 18, 19, and 20 year olds will be able to wipe aclohol-related offenses off their plate. This insures that Iowa students will still be able to find a job after college.
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What are some of the psychological implications that factor here? Will underage students drink MORE now knowing that their record could be erased? I personally feel that underage students will drink they same no matter what the law is. It does put some people's mind at ease knowing that they will be able to have the charge removed, insuring that it will not come back to haunt them later on in a job interview.
I don't think that this bill will make much difference in how much people drink underage. Also if I recall correctly this bill will only allow you to erase one charge on your record. Further you have to go before a judge to have it done, and not had any other criminal convictions for two years prior to it removal. So it is not like this is a get out of jail free card.
No, it is not suppose to serve as a get out of jail free card. It is suppose to clean up college kids resumes a bit so that it will be easier for them to find jobs. Most of the people who have a longer criminal record probably are not worried about a MIP charge they got. The people that this really affects are bright students who may have gotten caught doing something stupid once. For me, this bill affects me greatly because I do have an MIP charge and no other criminal charges on my record. It is kind of a pain that you have to go before a judge but I believe the logic behind that is the people who really care about their record and getting a job will take the time to see a judge to have this removed. I know I will.