Redemption Law

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...

Sometimes, the taste of victory is lessened by the failures along the way. But in the case of this year’s legislative session in the state of Washington, there are still some small victories to celebrate. Let’s dive into the session that culminated in April 2025....

People often say that if you are ordered to register on the sex offender list, your name will remain there for the rest of your life. This is why it can cause significant complications in the future. Even if you serve your time, having your name on this list after a...

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....

A person who is convicted of a crime or even arrested for a crime often wonders how that record will affect them throughout the rest of their life. There isn’t any easy or solid answer to this, but it can sometimes make it difficult to find job opportunities or...

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...