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...
Protecting Your Future With Compassion And Understanding
Redemption Law
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...
Pell Grant opportunities for those incarcerated to expand soon
Beginning in July of this year, incarcerated people who want to take college courses but haven’t had the money to pay for them will have new financing opportunities. Federal Pell Grants, which provide financial aid to low-income students, are being expanded within...
What are collateral consequences?
When people talk about the consequences of a criminal conviction, they usually speak in terms of the actual sentence – whether that means heavy fines, a brief stint in jail, a hefty prison term, a period of probation or some combination of the lot. The collateral...
Three tips for getting a job after a criminal conviction
It’s no secret that a criminal conviction will have a profound impact on your life. The collateral consequences of these convictions can range from not being able to own a firearm to having trouble finding suitable employment. Without being able to get a job, you...
Two Benefits of Petitioning for Firearm Restoration
One of the consequences of being convicted of a felony offense in Washington State is that you will lose your eligibility to own a firearm. There’s no expiry date to the ban, meaning that once it’s imposed, it is there forever. It makes owning a firearm a felony...
Even confessions can lead to false convictions
Generally speaking, when someone confesses to a crime, there’s little dispute about whether or not they committed that crime. By the mere fact of confessing to it, they’ve made it very clear that they are guilty of whatever it is they’ve been accused of doing....
When can you restore your firearm ownership rights?
Although the Second Amendment in theory enshrines the right to legal firearm ownership, the reality is that there are numerous scenarios in which people cannot lawfully own firearms. Those diagnosed with certain mental health conditions and those convicted of certain...
Drug courts help people keep a clear record
If you get arrested for a drug-related crime, the actual penalties may not be that severe. You may have to serve a short jail sentence and pay a fine, for example. However, the problem that you may find is that this creates a criminal record. In some cases, this...
What is a Certificate of Restoration of Opportunity?
In 2016, Washington enacted the Certificate of Restoration of Opportunity (CROP) bill. The law reduces barriers that individuals with a criminal conviction face, such as securing employment or renting a house. It can also restore their eligibility for occupational...