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One in three Americans has a criminal record. In Oregon, that’s more than 1.3 million people. For many, a mistake from years ago still shows up on job applications, housing screenings, and background checks, long after they’ve moved on.
What a clear record can change
The research on what’s at stake is striking. A study by the University of Michigan Law School of people who cleared their records found that wages can rise by more than 22% within one year of record clearance. The same study confirmed that unemployed or underemployed have the most to gain from finding stable, better-paying work.
Hiring data tells the same story. In a large field experiment conducted by the Quarterly Journal of Economics with roughly 15,000 job applications, showed that applicants without convictions were 63% more likely to receive a callback than comparable applicants with convictions, among employers that asked about criminal history.
Behind those numbers are parents who want to provide more for their kids, workers who want a fair shot at a better job, and people who simply want to be judged by who they are today.
Opens in new window“I’ll just handle it myself”
It’s a natural instinct. Court forms are public, and plenty of Oregonians assume the process is simple enough to manage alone.
The evidence says otherwise. In a May 2026 Harvard Law School Access to Justice Lab study, researchers followed people for two years after they were provided different levels of help. Of those who received self-help materials and a brief legal consultation, only 8% had obtained an expungement order. By comparison, 80% of those offered full legal representation did.
While we cannot guarantee you will receive a successful outcome, over 95% of Rasa clients achieve their record clearance goals. We handle the process so you don’t have to.
A local attorney in your corner
Some Oregonians are understandably wary of out-of-state service providers, especially with something as personal as their record. Rasa works with people in multiple states, but Oregon cases are handled by Moriah Schiewe, Rasa’s staff attorney in Portland.
“Oregonians deserve a team that knows their courts and their community. I am based in Portland, and work on cases across the state. I’m here to help people move on from the past and open doors for themselves and their families.” - Moriah Schiewe, Staff Attorney, Rasa
Opens in new windowStart with a simple question: what’s on your record?
Many people don’t know exactly what appears on their record, or whether it’s eligible to be set aside under Oregon law. Rasa’s record check tool answers both questions. Enter a few details to see what’s on your record and explore whether it can be set aside.
From there, Rasa’s team handles the process. The goal is simple: help people move on from mistakes in their past and access better opportunities for themselves and their families.
