The Legal Aid Society joined other defenders, criminal justice advocate organizations, impacted community members and others to announce Clean Slate New York, a campaign to pass legislation ending the perpetual punishment of a criminal conviction through broad automatic expungement of old criminal records, according to the Times Union.

In New York, an estimated 2.3 million individuals – 1 in 7 adults – have a criminal conviction on their record. Collateral damage from these records can be wide-ranging and enduring, including significant obstacles to securing housing, employment and other opportunities.

“No one should have to suffer the daily consequences of an old mistake, one which does not define who they are,” said Tina Luongo, Attorney-In-Charge of the Criminal Defense Practice at The Legal Aid Society.