Free Legal Clinics Aim To Help Convicts, Accused Move On
DENVER (CBS4)- A group of attorneys in Colorado is trying to make it easier for people convicted of certain crimes to seal their records by offering free legal aid. The effort comes after the legislature expanded which crimes are eligible to seal.
Almost all misdemeanors and some felony drug crimes can now be sealed in Colorado after a waiting period of up to 10 years with no new offenses.
James Reed was sentenced for felony drug possession more than a decade ago. He finished serving his sentence in 2010, but he says in some ways, he's still paying the price.
"There's that little box on the application have you been convicted of a felony," said Reed.
He says its also been difficult to find housing, "It follows you for a very long time and I found that as I went to look for an apartment. It kind of has a stigma attached to it."
Maureen Cain with the Criminal Defense Bar says Colorado has created a permanent second class of citizens who've been convicted or even arrested and not charged with a crime.
"It's the scarlet letter. Do we want to keep them wearing the scarlet letter for the rest of their lives and rely only on the kindness of strangers to take them in?" asked Cain.
The inability to get a job, Cain says, is the single biggest reason ex-cons return to a life of crime. She says many are often relegated to living in high crime areas too.
"If you're trying to get your life together that's not always the most positive place to start again," says Reed.
He's eligible to have his record sealed but says he hasn't because of the time and expense involved.
Now, the Colorado Criminal Defense Institute is stepping in. It's opening free legal clinics around the state to help those like reed seal their records.
"So far, we have 50 lawyers who've volunteered to take cases… because they see the power of this chance, this hope," says Cain.
Reed says he serves on the boards of two non-profits that help addicts in recovery and will graduate with honors this December from Red Rocks Community College with a degree in renewable energy technologies. But, he says his criminal record still follows him.
"It's a consequence that lasts a long time and at some point you've got to say you've payed your dues, you've been punished enough, now we're going to let you move on," said Reed.
More than 60,000 people in Colorado were charged with misdemeanors last year and more than 800 with felony drug offenses.
District attorneys have the power to block any felony from being sealed and certain employers like schools, for example, will still be able to see the records.
Additional Information:
The Colorado Collateral Relief Project
The JAG (Justice Assistance Grant) and the Denver Foundation grants, in conjunction with numerous volunteers, are supporting this project. We received support letters form numerous community groups for the grant application which included many groups that work with former offenders as well as law enforcement groups. Since we announced the project we are getting support from all over: Community Mental Health Centers, Veterans groups, workforce development centers, judicial pro bono clinics, library districts and more. Response has been exceptional.