Legal Aid Offers Help for Second Chances

"In some cases, past criminal convictions can legally prevent someone from getting certain types of jobs in New York City and New York State.

But in some cases, there are avenues by which people can get long-passed criminal records sealed or cleaned up, and show that they have made demonstrable changes to their lives.
This week, and over the next few months, The Legal Aid Society and the office of Queens Borough President Melinda Katz will be encouraging people with records to see if they are eligible.
Katz and Legal Aid attorneys spoke to just under two dozen people Monday night at the office of Life Camp, the organization founded by Erica Ford to combat violence and crime in and around Jamaica.
“You don’t know? Don’t eliminate yourself until you’re sure,” said Legal Aid attorney Emma Goodman, who specializes in helping people seal their records.
“The hardest problem about this program is nobody knows about it,” she added.
“Queens is about second chances,” Katz told the group in a small meeting room before all broke up to have private meetings with attorneys.
Katz said eliminating barriers can help people economically as well as reduce recidivism..."

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