Although she was able to become a practicing attorney and then, in 2020, be elected to the Washington State Legislature, she says her criminal record has been an “invisible prison.” She has been working both inside and outside the legislature to help others whose criminal records have held them back.
Among the challenges Rep. Simmons has faced include being unable to:
She says that “the list goes on, but the most important thing really has to do with housing and employment." Job applicants’ records can be found in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) when employers do a background check. Even parents facing child custody battles can have their criminal records used against them. She notes that these and more are “collateral consequences” of having a record – particularly one that involves felonies or gross misdemeanors.
Washington’s New Hope Act, which became law in 2019, made the most serious charge – the assault charge -- eligible for “vacatur.” Rep. Simmons is continuing her work to help previously incarcerated people clear their records and work to minimize the criminal consequences for many drug-related crimes.
It can seem like an uphill battle to put your criminal record behind you so that you can move on with your life. This one story is an example of how it is possible. Getting experienced legal guidance can be a good first step.
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