Kelly Martin is a Legal Editor for Nolo with a focus on criminal law. She writes for several sites, including Nolo.com, CriminalDefenseLawyer.com, and Lawyers.com.
Education. Kelly earned her J.D. at Golden Gate University School of Law, which she attended on a merit scholarship. She graduated in 2005 in the top 5% of her class with Highest Honors and received several awards for academic achievement.
Legal experiences. Kelly has been a licensed attorney since 2005. After working at the trial level for two years, she began representing indigent defendants in the California Court of Appeal and soon established a full-time criminal defense appellate practice. In addition to maintaining that practice, she spent two years at the Office of the State Public Defender, representing defendants on appeal in capital cases. She has also taught several semesters as an adjunct professor of legal writing and appellate advocacy at Golden Gate University School of Law. She continues to handle criminal appeals for defendants in California who can't afford lawyers.
Nolo. Kelly started at Nolo in 2022. She was inspired by Nolo’s mission to educate the public about laws that affect us all and is honored to be able to contribute to that work.
Other pursuits. Kelly enjoys road cycling (despite the spandex) and can often be found riding in the Napa Valley. This activity balances out her love of cooking and her enthusiasm for sitting around with a good novel and a lap cat.
Articles By Kelly Martin
Possession of illegal drugs can land you with a felony conviction and harsh fines in New York.
All states limit the right to purchase, own, or possess weapons to some extent, though restrictions differ widely. And many states ban minors from having guns, subject to some exceptions.
The Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms, but there are limits. Read here about what kinds of weapons are often prohibited, the circumstances that make having weapons illegal, and the legal consequences of breaking these laws.
People who may legally possess and even openly carry weapons can't always place those weapons in their pockets or otherwise conceal them without breaking the law.
In Indiana, you may be able to expunge—that is, seal or otherwise clean up—your criminal record under the circumstances described below. In most cases, after your record is expunged or sealed, you may legally state on an employment application that you have not been convicted of a crime.
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."
