Criminal Record Sealing and Pro Bono Opportunities

When:  Aug 18, 2017 from 04:30 PM to 06:30 PM (ET)

CORI Matters -- Learn How to Help Clients Seal Criminal Records

For those with a criminal record, the information contained in their Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) can be a real roadblock to getting jobs, housing and access to other opportunities.

The Massachusetts Bar Association, University of Massachusetts School of Law and the Bristol County Bar Association are collaborating with Greater Boston Legal Services to recruit attorneys to help clients from low-income communities seal their records and break the cycle of poverty and unemployment. The project seeks volunteers to represent a pro bono client in their region of the state court and/or provide limited assistance representation.

Attorneys of all backgrounds are encouraged to volunteer to take a case. A case typically takes less than 25 hours.

Topics to be covered:

  • What is CORI?
  • What is DCJIS?
  • Levels of CORI access
  • Myths about sealing
  • Special considerations for immigrant clients
  • How to seal cases under the administrative process
  • Effect of having "open" and "file" cases
  • Effect of sex offender registry status
  • What kinds of "convictions" can never be sealed
  • Sealing non-convictions in court
  • What cases can be sealed in court without a waiting period
  • Planning ahead and building your case for sealing records
  • Where to file, what to file,  and the court process
  • Standard of proof and leading cases
  • Responding to CORI inquiries after your record is sealed
  • Appeals of denials of sealing requests
  • Juvenile Court record sealing
  • Questions from the audience

Members of the Bristol County Bar Association are welcome to attend for free. Please contact MBA Member Services to register at (617) 338-0530.

Location

333 Faunce Corner Road
North Dartmouth, MA 02747