An arrest can lead to eviction from public housing in New York City—even if it never results in a conviction or if the charges are dropped. We represent families at risk of losing their homes because of criminal accusations. We also represent youth facing the threat of being “permanently excluded,” barred from ever returning to their family’s apartment, even just to visit.

It’s against the law in New York City for employers to ask about a criminal history before making a job offer. It’s also against the law to refuse to hire someone—or to refuse to issue an employment license—based solely on a criminal history. We represent young people who have faced unlawful discrimination, as well as those who have had their privacy wrongfully violated by companies conducting criminal background reports.

Students temporarily suspended from school are at heightened risk of permanently dropping out. We represent students at suspension hearings to ensure their rights are protected—and to prevent them from being funneled into the school-to-prison pipeline. We also help youth pursuing college education by providing guidance on application questions about criminal histories, and by counseling them on financial aid eligibility.

Positive relationships with family are crucial to successful reentry.  In visitation and custody cases, we represent young people who themselves are parents so that they and their children can maintain a loving presence in each other’s lives. In order to make sure that young parents are able to manage their financial responsibilities, we also represent them in child support proceedings.

More than 80% of employers and landlords run a criminal background check, but only 45% of the youth we serve have a correct understanding of what will appear on their criminal record.  We are in the unique position of being able to obtain RAP sheets directly from New York State, so that young people avoid the potential trauma of having to go to a local police precinct to be fingerprinted.  We then counsel youth on how to speak about their criminal history accurately and effectively. We also correct mistakes on RAP sheets caused by administrative oversights that can jeopardize access to housing, jobs, and other opportunities youth need for successful reentry. 

While everyone is guaranteed a lawyer in criminal court, certain situations require specialized youth training.  Youth struggle to make court dates and follow judges’ orders, as fear, confusion, and young brain development can cloud their judgement.  This is especially true when a young person has been given a criminal summons or has missed a court date or community service in the past, and is afraid or unsure of what to do next.  Our attorneys use both legal and youth development principles to get the best possible outcomes for our clients.