When someone is seeking to have their record expunged, what they’re usually considering is having that record sealed. This is an official process that can close the record so that it won’t have an effect on their daily life any longer. However, people sometimes think...
Protecting Your Future With Compassion And Understanding
Year: 2023
The Fair Chance Act
For a long time, people have realized the significance of having a job and how it can help reduce criminal behavior. But, most employers are reluctant to hire people who have been convicted of a crime, even though they have paid their debt to society. Washington's...
Common mistakes to avoid when attempting to restore gun rights
Restoring gun rights in the state of Washington can be a complex and challenging process. If your goal is to regain your Second Amendment rights, navigating a legal landscape with specific requirements and potential pitfalls is necessary. Knowing and avoiding common...
What are mitigating factors?
You’ve been charged with criminal wrongdoing and you were subsequently convicted. You are now consistently worried about how this will impact the rest of your life. While you were found guilty in court, you feel like there were mitigating factors in your case. If...
Do the courts automatically seal juvenile criminal records?
The record of someone's criminal conviction may affect their life for many years to come. Employers, educational institutions and even landlords perform criminal background checks before deciding if they want to hire, rent to or enroll an individual applicant. The...
Should you pursue a CROP in Washington State?
The criminal justice system offers several different ways for individuals who have paid their debt to society – or who have been wrongfully convicted – to seek specific forms of redemption related to their criminal record. The most common (and well-understood) forms...
Are you “bondable” if you have a criminal record?
When looking at job descriptions and requirements, you may see the word “bondable” – as in “you must be bondable” for this job. Just what does that mean, and does a criminal record make you “unbondable?” Jobs that require bonding are generally those in which employees...
What sort of things does the court consider under SB 6164?
SB 6164, which went into effect in June 2020, gives new hope to those serving long prison sentences in the state of Washington. Among other things, it gives prosecutors the ability to seek resentencing when someone’s original sentence no longer seems just. This is...
Myths about employees with criminal records
While many people with criminal records have committed serious crimes and are a danger to the public, this is certainly not always the case. There are individuals out there who have a criminal record yet no criminal intent whatsoever. For instance, the crime of...
Why finding housing can be challenging if you have a criminal record
Two of the most crucial things for formerly incarcerated people to have once they get out are a place to live and a job. While getting a job can be a challenge, businesses, public entities and non-profit organizations offer a variety of programs that can help. Finding...