Suffolk County Record Sealing
If you have been struggling to get a job in Suffolk County, or elsewhere in New York, due to the existence of a criminal record, do not give up hope. You may be able to get your criminal record sealed under New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59.
This law was passed by the New York legislature in 2017, dramatically expanding the accessibility of citizens to have a prior criminal conviction sealed. This new law can be utilized by an individual with two convictions on their record (and only one conviction can be a felony offense). In addition, at least ten years must have passed in order to take advantage of this statute.
Although expungement is not available in New York, sealing of criminal records is.
“An old conviction for a minor or a nonviolent offense should not hold people back from moving on with their lives,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, according to the New York Daily News. This statement is spot-on. Furthermore, the data suggests that people are being held back due to having the scarlet letter of “convict” on their record.
For example, a three year study was conducted by researchers at Arizona State University. The study involved sending applications to thousands of employers with only one difference between the applicants – a criminal record. The results were shocking. Applicants who had the exact same skill set, the exact same amount of experience, and the exact same qualifications had disturbingly different response rates based primarily on the existence of a criminal record. The applicants with a criminal record had a much lower response rate and even worse hiring rate. To add insult to injury, thousands of employers were surveyed by the ASU researchers, who discovered that applicants with a criminal record were affiliated with being dishonest, tardy, more likely to abuse drugs, and more likely to abuse alcohol and other substances.
Having Your Suffolk County Criminal Record Sealed Can Make a Huge Difference in Getting a Job
Having your conviction record sealed can make the difference between being hired or being ignored by prospective employers. This is because a sealing order generally prohibits the public from accessing your criminal record, including prospective employers. The only entities that can see your criminal record after the sealing order goes into effect are the authorities and a limited number of licensing agencies.
Other Steps You Can Take To Help Your Employment Prospects
If you are someone who was convicted a few years ago, or you have a violent felony offense on your record, then you will not be able to take advantage of New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59. Nevertheless, there are certain steps you can take to help improve your employment prospects. If you were, for example, have more than two felony convictions on your record, you can apply to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct, which helps remove some barriers to gaining certain types of licensing and types of employment.
Suffolk County Criminal Record Sealing Lawyer Here to Help
Take action today to determine whether you qualify to have your criminal record sealed in Suffolk County. Speak to an experienced criminal record sealing lawyer right away. To learn more, contact Levy & Rizzo, LLC, the Clean Slate Attorneys today for further assistance.