Jordan Wood v. Criminal Records Repository [2023]
WD85024 · Supreme Court of Missouri · United States (Missouri)
Issue
Whether a person exonerated of a crime is entitled to restitution from the state for the costs of expungement and other related expenses.
Held
The Court held that the state is liable for restitution for the costs of expungement as part of the remedy for wrongful conviction.
Exam use
In an exam, introduce Jordan Wood v. Criminal Records Repository with the citation only if you can remember it accurately; otherwise use the case name and court, then focus on the rule and application. A strong answer should say what Jordan Wood v. Criminal Records Repository decided, why the facts mattered, and how the authority helps resolve the new facts. Avoid treating the case as a decorative reference. Use it to prove a doctrinal step in Restitution, expungement of criminal records, then move quickly to analysis.
Summary
Jordan Wood v. Criminal Records Repository is included in the Restitution Law case database because it gives students a concrete authority for Restitution, expungement of criminal records. The reported citation is WD85024, and the decision is associated with Supreme Court of Missouri. In revision, treat the case as a way to connect the legal issue to a real dispute rather than as an abstract rule. The key exam move is to state the holding, identify the fact pattern that made the rule matter, and then decide whether a new problem question should apply, distinguish, or limit the authority.
Facts
Procedural History
Issue
Whether a person exonerated of a crime is entitled to restitution from the state for the costs of expungement and other related expenses.
Held
The Court held that the state is liable for restitution for the costs of expungement as part of the remedy for wrongful conviction.
Ratio Decidendi
A wrongfully convicted person may recover restitution from the state for reasonable costs incurred to expunge the criminal record and restore their reputation.
Obiter Dicta
Check the linked source for concurring, dissenting, or obiter observations before quoting this case. If the case includes non-binding reasoning, use it as persuasive support rather than as the core rule.
Reasoning
Plain-English Explanation
Essay-Ready Explanation Generator
Version 1 of 4
Reference to Jordan Wood v. Criminal Records Repository (WD85024) strengthens a Restitution Law answer because the case reflects the principle that A wrongfully convicted person may recover restitution from the state for reasonable costs incurred to expunge the criminal record and restore their reputation. Applied to a problem question, the case should be used after identifying the issue as Whether a person exonerated of a crime is entitled to restitution from the state for the costs of expungement and other related expenses. The stronger essay move is to connect the material facts to the court's holding, then explain whether the present facts support the same conclusion or justify distinguishing the authority.
Underlying Concepts
- restitution-law
- Restitution Law
- Restitution, expungement of criminal records
- case authority
- exam application
Key Passages
- Verify exact wording in the linked source before quoting.
Significance
Related Cases
No related cases listed.
Exam Tips
Revision Checklist
- Name the issue before discussing facts so the marker sees the legal question immediately.
- State the holding in one sentence, then use the ratio to explain why the court reached that result.
- Use the citation and jurisdiction to show why this authority matters for the problem you are answering.
- Pair this case with one supporting or contrasting authority if the question tests limits, policy, or exceptions.
Problem Question Use
Common Pitfalls
- Name-dropping the case without applying the facts
- Ignoring jurisdiction or procedural posture
- Quoting without checking the linked source