Jessica Gillespie is a Legal Editor and Nolo’s Research Director. Her articles appear on Nolo.com, CriminalDefenseLawyer.com, and Lawyers.com.
Education. Jessica received a B.A. from the University of Virginia, an M.S. in Library and Information Science from Long Island University, and an M.A. in United States History from North Carolina State University. She also did doctoral work in history at the University of Tennessee, where she focused her research on Progressive Era reform movements in the Appalachian South.
Working at Nolo. Jessica joined the Nolo Editorial team in 2014. At Nolo, Jessica conducts legal research and writes and edits articles across many areas of practice, including estate planning, criminal law, and personal injury. She is also the current editor of Nolo’s Legal Forms for Starting & Running a Small Business and a cocreator of many of Nolo’s online legal forms, including the online LLC and online corporation formation services.
Before Nolo. In addition to her background in academia, Jessica has years of experience working in law libraries. Before coming to Nolo, Jessica managed the U.S., E.U., and U.N. documents collections at New York University’s Law Library and worked in the library of a large law firm in Richmond, Virginia, where she provided technical services support and research assistance to attorneys and staff.
Articles By Jessica Gillespie
People in Massachusetts who engage in sexual activity with someone under the age of consent (16 years old) may be convicted of statutory rape offenses.
Wyoming's statutory rape laws carry stiff penalties. Having consensual sexual relations with a minor—sexual intercourse or contact—may result in felony charges and lengthy prison sentences.
People who engage in sexual activity with children younger than 16 may be prosecuted for statutory rape crimes in Nevada.
In Nevada, many criminal records can be expunged or sealed so that the general public will not be able to access them. But not all records are eligible.
In Kansas, many arrest and conviction records can be expunged or sealed so that the general public will not be able to access them. But not all criminal records are eligible..
In West Virginia, your criminal record may be expunged -- that is, erased or sealed -- under the circumstances described below. If your record is expunged, it will no longer be visible to the general public, including potential employers.
In North Carolina, expunction can erase your criminal record under certain circumstances. But not all records can be expunged.
In Washington, the process of expunging or sealing a criminal conviction is called "vacating a judgment."
In Connecticut, you may be able to have your criminal records expunged -- that is, erased or sealed -- if you meet certain requirements. For legal purposes, after a criminal record is expunged, it is as though the crime never happened.
In Louisiana, your criminal record may be expunged under certain circumstances. If your record qualifies, it will be hidden from public view.
