This website ("Site") is produced by Legal Aid Bureau, Inc., doing business as Maryland Legal Aid ("MLA"). The contents of the Site, such as text, graphics, images, information from MLA, the expungement app available through the Site, and any other material contained on the Site ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice or representation. Use of the Site and Content does not create an attorney-client relationship between MLA and any person.
Any person using the Site and Content agrees to use them for non-commercial purposes only. MLA may revoke any person's access to the Site and Content for any unauthorized use, and disclaims liability for any unauthorized use of the Site or Content.
Any non-MLA-affiliated attorney using the Site and Content is responsible for carrying legal malpractice insurance and complying with all professional responsibilities; MLA disclaims responsibility for the conduct of any non-MLA-affiliated attorney using the Site or Content. For the avoidance of doubt, the preceding sentence does not apply to attorneys who volunteer for MLA, and thus are affiliated with MLA. An attorney's access to the expungement app is expressly conditioned on the attorney's remaining a member in good standing of the Maryland bar. The attorney is responsible for notifying MLA promptly if the attorney ceases to be a member in good standing of the Maryland bar, and agrees to cease using the expungement app from the time the membership ceases.
Unless given express permission by Maryland Legal Aid, under no circumstances shall this application be used, by an attorney or otherwise, in connection with any fee-generation, charging for services, or other commercial purpose. By agreeing to these terms of service, the User agrees to not charge any individual for any service related to the use of this application. Should Maryland Legal Aid determine that an individual, attorney or otherwise, has charged, or attempted to charge, a fee for services related to the use of this application, Maryland Legal Aid shall disable and/or delete the account of the individual, and take any other actions it deems necessary, including but not limited to contacting any client potentially charged by the individual for services related to the use of this application. If the User has derived or intends to derive any financial profit from the representation of a potential expungement candidate, and wishes to use this Application on behalf of the same potential expungement candidate, it is the affirmative duty of the User to inform Maryland Legal Aid of that relationship prior to using this Application.
This privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their 'Personally Identifiable Information' (PII) is being used online. PII, as described in US privacy law and information security, is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. Please read our privacy policy carefully to get a clear understanding of how we collect, use, protect or otherwise handle your Personally Identifiable Information in accordance with our website.
What personal information do we collect from the people that visit our blog, website or app?
When registering on our site, as appropriate, you will be asked to enter your name, email address, phone number or other details to help you with your experience or to create an account.
When do we collect information?
We collect information from you when you register on our site, fill out a form or enter information on our site.
How do we use your information?
We may use the information we collect from you when you register, sign up for our newsletter, surf the website, or use site features.
How do we protect your information?
Our website is scanned on a regular basis for security holes and known vulnerabilities in order to make your visit to our site as safe as possible.
We use regular Malware Scanning.
Your personal information is contained behind secured networks and is only accessible by a limited number of persons who have special access rights to such systems, and are required to keep the information confidential.
Do we use 'cookies'?
Yes. Cookies are small files that a site or its service provider transfers to your computer's hard drive through your Web browser (if you allow) that enables the site's or service provider's systems to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information. They are also used to help us understand your preferences based on previous or current site activity, which enables us to provide you with improved services. We also use cookies to help us compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interaction so that we can offer better site experiences and tools in the future.
We use cookies to:
Understand and save user's preferences for future visits.
Compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interactions in order to offer better site experiences and tools in the future. We may also use trusted third-party services that track this information on our behalf.
You can choose to have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or you can choose to turn off all cookies. You do this through your browser settings. Since each browser is a little different, look at your browser's Help Menu to learn the correct way to modify your cookies.
If users disable cookies in their browser:
If you turn cookies off, some features will be disabled, some of the features that make your site experience more efficient may not function properly, and you will be unable to Login or Use the Expungement Application .
Third-party disclosure
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your Personally Identifiable Information.
Third-party links
We do not include or offer third-party products or services on our website.
Google, is a third-party vendor.
We have implemented the following Google tools:
• Google Analytics
• Demographics and Interests Reporting (We do not use the Interests Reporting data for any reason.)
We, along with third-party vendors such as Google use first-party cookies (such as the Google Analytics cookies) and third-party cookies or other third-party identifiers together to improve user experience.
California Online Privacy Protection Act
CalOPPA is the first state law in the nation to require commercial websites and online services to post a privacy policy. The law's reach stretches well beyond California to require any person or company in the United States (and conceivably the world) that operates websites collecting Personally Identifiable Information from California consumers to post a conspicuous privacy policy on its website stating exactly the information being collected and those individuals or companies with whom it is being shared. - See more at: http://consumercal.org/california-online-privacy-protection-act-caloppa/#sthash.0FdRbT51.dpuf
According to CalOPPA, we agree to the following:
Users can visit our site anonymously.
Once this privacy policy is created, we will add a link to it on our home page or as a minimum, on the first significant page after entering our website.
Our Privacy Policy link includes the word 'Privacy' and can be easily be found on the page specified above.
You will be notified of any Privacy Policy changes:
• On our Privacy Policy Page
Can change your personal information:
• By logging in to your account
How does our site handle Do Not Track signals?
We don't honor Do Not Track signals and Do Not Track, plant cookies, or use advertising when a Do Not Track (DNT) browser mechanism is in place. We don't honor them because:
Creating an account is required to use the expungement tools on this site.
COPPA (Children Online Privacy Protection Act)
When it comes to the collection of personal information from children under the age of 13 years old, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) puts parents in control. The Federal Trade Commission, United States' consumer protection agency, enforces the COPPA Rule, which spells out what operators of websites and online services must do to protect children's privacy and safety online.
We do not specifically market to children under the age of 13 years old.
Fair Information Practices
The Fair Information Practices Principles form the backbone of privacy law in the United States and the concepts they include have played a significant role in the development of data protection laws around the globe. Understanding the Fair Information Practice Principles and how they should be implemented is critical to comply with the various privacy laws that protect personal information.
In order to be in line with Fair Information Practices we will take the following responsive action, should a data breach occur:
We will notify registered users via email within 14 business days.
CAN SPAM Act
The CAN-SPAM Act is a law that sets the rules for commercial email, establishes requirements for commercial messages, gives recipients the right to have emails stopped from being sent to them, and spells out tough penalties for violations.
We collect your email address in order to:
• Send information, respond to inquiries, and/or other requests or questions
To be in accordance with CANSPAM, we agree to the following:
• Not use false or misleading subjects or email addresses.
• Include the physical address of our business or site headquarters.
• Monitor third-party email marketing services for compliance, if one is used.
• Honor opt-out/unsubscribe requests quickly.
• Allow users to unsubscribe by using the link at the bottom of each email.
If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving Daily Recap emails, you can manage that on your My Profile page.
Contacting Us
If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us by submitting the contact form on the home page.
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