Redemption Law

People with criminal convictions on their records face many challenges. Their prior offense may turn up whenever landlords or employers perform background checks. Most criminal records exist indefinitely, meaning that they can limit a person’s opportunities for the...

A run-in with the law in your late teens or a criminal charge that has long been resolved shouldn’t define the rest of your life. However, many people in Washington continue to miss out on jobs, housing and educational opportunities simply because of having a criminal...

You did the hard part already: you finished your sentence, moved on with your life and stayed out of trouble. However, because you still owe restitution or other court-ordered payments, you are being told you don’t qualify for relief. In Washington, that used to be...

People who are convicted of a crime in Washington often wonder how their future will be impacted by the conviction. This can vary considerably, based on what type of charge they had and specific circumstances of the case.  Washington has options available for relief...

A mistake you made as a minor that led to a court record can significantly affect your adult life. You may face limited opportunities when it comes to employment, housing, or education. That’s why sealing a juvenile record is often a crucial step toward a fresh start....

If you have a criminal record in Washington, you may wonder how to move on with your life. Options like expungement, pardons and certificates of restoration can offer a fresh start.  However, each of these routes serves a different purpose and has different effects....

People in the State of Washington who have a criminal history sometimes have the unique option of receiving a Certificate of Restoration of Opportunity (CROP). This is meant to help combat some of the challenges that come with securing housing, obtaining a...

In Washington State, courts often order convicts to participate in community custody. Known in other places as parole, community custody can impose a wide range of restrictions. People under community custody may not be able to drive or leave certain geographic...

One of the most consequential results of a conviction for certain crimes is the public exposure. Anyone convicted of a sex offense as defined by RCW 9a.44.130 must register as a sex offender in a public database. This can affect your employment and housing...

When your name is on the sex offender registry, it can feel like you wear a label for all to see. Unfortunately, it can also impact most of your life, from employment opportunities and housing to social interactions. What if you could strike your name from this list...