POLITICO New York reported this past week that only 1,279 New Yorkers – out of an estimated pool of 600,000 eligible individuals – have capitalized on a 2017 law to have up to two criminal convictions — either two misdemeanors, or one felony and a misdemeanor — sealed from public view. Record sealing is crucial as it safeguards against employment, housing, and other forms of discrimination. Until New York State legislates expungement, sealing is the best opportunity for people who have steered clear of the criminal justice system for an extended period of time the ability to move past their prior convictions and get on with their lives.

“There’s so many people eligible, and the numbers are lower than I’d like them to be. You should be able to do it without a lawyer, but it turns out it’s been difficult to file without an attorney,” said Emma Goodman, Coordinator of the Conviction Sealing Project at The Legal Aid Society.

Learn more about The Legal Aid Society’s Case Closed Project that works to seal and expunge criminal records. Use our online questionnaire to help determine your eligibility to have a record sealed.