Criminal Record Sealing & Pro Bono Opportunities

When:  Oct 27, 2016 from 04:30 PM to 06:30 PM (ET)

CORI MATTERS -- Learn How To Help Clients Seal Criminal Records

Mass incarceration and racially-disparate involvement of African-Americans in the criminal justice system are the new Jim Crow. In general, work is the pathway to a better life and out of poverty, but past criminal records stop countless people from getting jobs, housing, and access to other opportunities.

The Massachusetts Bar Association is 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 assisted representation.

Attorneys of all backgrounds are encouraged to volunteer to take a case or help with our community outreach. The required time commitment is likely less than 25 hours and GBLS provides training, materials and mentoring.

Topics to be covered:

  • What is CORI?
  • Levels of access to CORI
  • New law requiring FBI background checks
  • Who will get access to your client’s CORI
  • How to correct mistakes on a CORI
  • How to file a complaint alleging violations of the CORI law
  • What a CORI looks like after sealing
  • Myths about sealing
  • Special considerations for immigrant clients
  • How to seal cases under the administrative process
  • What kinds of “convictions” can never be sealed
  • Sealing non-convictions in court
  • Effect of having “open” and “file” cases 
  • Effect of sex offender registry status
  • Effect of sealing on listings in the Domestic Violence Registry
  • New law permitting access to sealed CORI in Probate 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
  • BMC CORI Standing order
  • 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

Additional faculty to be announced.

*Suffolk PDR -- This MBA program is certified as an official Suffolk University Law School Professional Development CLE.

**Rhode Island CLE Credit -- The MBA is an accredited sponsor of MCLE credit in RI, however, each CLE must be approved individually for credit. Please contact education@MassBar.org for accreditation information.

Location

20 West St
Boston, MA 02111