By Right On Crime Leader Brings Prosecutorial Background To Expungement Debate
Rachel A. Wright, the National Policy Director for Right On Crime, is making the case for federal cannabis expungement. She brings almost a decade of prosecutorial and policy experience to the role.
She will rely on this background in advancing smart, effective, and data-driven criminal justice policy efforts.
Wright’s position at Right On Crime places her at the center of the organization’s criminal justice policy work. Her portfolio covers policy efforts she approaches as data-driven and effective. The expungement push falls within that broader mission.
Her arrival at the organization marks a shift from courtroom advocacy to national policy work. Right On Crime describes her role as focused on advancing criminal justice policy. The federal cannabis expungement argument is part of that agenda.
Wright’s background gives her direct experience with the criminal justice system that expungement policies would affect. She has worked both on criminal appeals and on drug policy issues. That combination informs her current policy work.
The organization’s decision to install a former prosecutor as National Policy Director signals the experience base it wants behind its reform efforts. Wright’s nearly ten years of experience span both prosecution and policy.
From Kentucky Courtroom To National Policy
Prior to joining Right On Crime, Wright served as an Assistant Solicitor General at the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General. In that position she focused primarily on criminal appeals. Her work there involved providing written and oral advocacy to affirm convictions and defeat post-conviction and collateral claims.
She argued to uphold convictions at the state level. She now advocates for clearing certain records at the federal level.
Her Kentucky role also extended beyond the courtroom. She advised on illicit drug policy and crime issues. That advisory work included engagement with drug policy at the state level.
Wright also worked with the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. The settlement funds were directed to communities across the state.
Her drug policy experience in Kentucky covered both enforcement and remediation. She advised on illicit drug policy while also helping allocate abatement funds. That dual background now informs her federal cannabis policy work.
What Comes Next
Wright continues in her role as National Policy Director for Right On Crime. Her stated mission is advancing smart, effective, and data-driven criminal justice policy efforts. Federal cannabis expungement remains part of that agenda.
Her prosecutorial experience positions her to speak to both sides of the criminal justice debate. She spent years affirming convictions in Kentucky. She now argues for relieving people of certain federal cannabis-related records.
Wright’s role is ongoing. Her background in criminal appeals and drug policy will continue to shape the effort.
