Expungement & record sealing

As we all know, even a minor brush with the law can create a lifetime of barriers to opportunity. NCSL .org reports that “over 77 million or 1 in 3 American adults have a criminal record. A criminal record can be a life sentence to joblessness, no home ownership, and fewer options that can be an entire family sentence. There is only a small percentage of eligible people who ever get their records cleared. Many, especially in ‘black and brown’ communities do not know of their possible eligibility, cannot locate or afford an attorney and many get lost in red tape and pursue no further”.  

All criminal convictions should not haunt someone for a lifetime. Reform The Uniform believes it is time to rethink, modify and give people another chance, especially once they have remained crime free. Imagine committing a petty crime or being charged and not convicted at eighteen and having to live with that criminal record for another fifty-seventy years. NCSL.org notes that “African American males between the ages of 18 and 19 are nearly 12 times more likely to be incarcerated than white men of the same age. African American females are twice as likely to be imprisoned than white females”.  Hispanics are not doing all that well either. 

America, WE have to REFORM this uniformed system, NOW!!!

Expungement and  Record Sealing are not the same. These terms have different meanings. Expungement typically means that a criminal record is erased entirely, while a sealed record still exists and can be viewed by law enforcement and some employers. Since there is no national and federal system in place, you need to check the status of your state’s record clearance law. You should note that expungement, record sealing, set-asides, and other post–conviction relief policies are VERY DIFFERENT state to state, sometimes even county by county. In addition, the types of offenses that are eligible for expungement and record sealing have their own requirements, with many exceptions, again depending upon where the offense was committed.

Do not become discouraged or give up. There are resources available. You have to be committed to doing the work, making the effort and have true determination to apply yourself until you receive the answers you need. We have been referred to a noteworthy resource. Collateral Consequences Resource Center is a non-profit organization established in 2014. Their mission is “to promote public engagement on the myriad issues raised by the legal restrictions and societal stigma that burden people with a criminal record long after their criminal case is closed”. Please take some time and look through their website. They offer a state by state comparison. Until the system is reformed, you MUST do the work. It is your ( and family’s) life and if eligible you should work to regain redemption. You have worked for it by staying crime free. NOW do it!