Today, Youth Represent and the Community Service Society (CSS), nonprofit organizations that have each provided free reentry-related legal services for more than a decade, are launching a free Legal Hotline for New Yorkers with conviction histories and/or past criminal justice system involvement. The Hotline is for people who need legal support to address questions and problems that these conviction histories may create, including barriers to employment and occupational licensing, or those who simply want a better understanding of their records and to correct any mistakes.
“Decades of discriminatory over-policing in New York City have unequally saddled Black and brown New Yorkers with conviction records that can create real barriers to good jobs, professional licensing, higher education, and full participation in the life of their community and the state’s economy,” says Michael Pope, Executive Director at Youth Represent. Judy Whiting, General Counsel at CSS adds, “At a time when New Yorkers with conviction histories are struggling with record-level employment discrimination, job loss and related problems, we are here to help. In this time of social distancing and other public health precautions, we’ve set up this free Legal Hotline so people can access us and our services quickly and easily, without having to travel.”
The Legal Hotline can be reached at (646) 759-8088. It will operate Monday through Friday from 9AM to 5PM. Calls placed after those hours will be returned the next business day.
Callers 24 years old and younger will be routed to Youth Represent; callers 25 years old and above will be routed to CSS.
Both groups provide no-cost legal advice, support, and representation for people with past arrests or convictions facing issues these records create, including but not limited to:
Job denials and job terminations
Job application questions about criminal histories
Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct
Criminal records / rap sheets / background checks issues and questions
Records sealing
All legal advice, support and representation will be provided free of charge.