Redemption Law

Everyone makes mistakes. Most people learn from those mistakes; however, that one mistake haunts them for the rest of their lives. They deserve a second chance. Fortunately, having your criminal record vacated can provide that. What does it mean to have a conviction...

Most people in the Seattle-Tacoma region who get their criminal records expunged find more and better job opportunities. It usually does not take long before their income and quality of life have gotten much better. More money in the bank can mean a nicer vehicle and...

You may have heard of the Certificate of Discharge (COD) and the Certificate of Restoration of Opportunity (CROP). The names are somewhat similar and they both have to do with restoring your civil rights after completing a criminal sentence. But they are not the same...

The right to bear arms is enshrined in the Bill of Rights. Many people in the Seattle area take their right to own guns for protection, hunting or recreation for granted. But if you have convictions for certain crimes on your record, the law says you cannot own or...

Washington was one of the first states to legalize marijuana for recreational use. But it may be falling behind in another way: authorizing automatic expungement for past marijuana-related criminal convictions. Washington State does not currently have automatic...

One of the consequences of getting convicted of any felony in Washington State is losing your right to own or possess a firearm. This is automatic under the law, though you can petition to restore your rights three years after a disqualifying misdemeanor conviction...

We have discussed Certifications of Restoration of Opportunity, commonly known as CROPs, before in this blog. To summarize, people with a criminal record who are denied an expungement or vacated conviction can seek a CROP as a way of relieving the lingering effects of...

Have you lost work, housing and other opportunities based on past criminal convictions that remain on your record? Many Washington residents are unaware that they may benefit from the state's Certificate of Restoration of Opportunity Program.  Learn more about CROP...

Conviction on criminal charges can have consequences that follow you around for the rest of your life. It can make it more difficult for you to get a job or find a place to live. Washington's "Second Chance" laws offer several options to clear your record and make a...