Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan announced the City of Albany, in partnership with a number of community organizations, is hosting its second Conviction Sealing Clinic & Community Resource Fair on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, from 1:00pm to 7:00pm at the Central Avenue BID’s STEAM Garden located at 279 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206.
The Clinic will connect City residents with both City of Albany and volunteer lawyers who will help them identify old, low-level criminal convictions that are eligible to be sealed under New York’s Sealing Law passed in 2017. The law limits eligible convictions to misdemeanors and certain felonies that are ten years or older and do not involve violence or sex offenses. Residents cannot have more than two 10-year-old convictions to be eligible. Sealing eligible convictions removes the stigma of a criminal record and increases possibilities for employment, earnings, promotions, education, loan, and licensing opportunities.
Individuals interested in having their conviction sealed should visit https://www.albanyny.gov/1982/Conviction-Sealing to complete the eligibility form. While appointments are not required, individuals seeking to participate are encouraged to sign up prior to the event to help determine their eligibility and allow staff to prepare the necessary documents to expedite the process.
The City is proud to partner with community organizations including the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, Albany Community Action Partnership, the Boys & Girls Club of the Capital Area, the Capital District Latinos, In Our Own Voices, Inc., the Black Nurses Coalition, Trinity Alliance, MVP Healthcare, and other organizations on this important initiative – organizations that will be in attendance to provide information regarding re-entry, employment, education, healthcare, and other services available in the City of Albany.
Prior to the Conviction Sealing Clinic, on Tuesday, November 29 from 12pm to 1pm, there will be a one-hour CLE presented by City of Albany Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel Matt Toporowski covering what attorneys will need to know to complete a sealing application for a client. In addition to CLE credit, volunteer attorneys will accumulate pro bono hours for their participation at the clinic. Attorneys interested in volunteering and providing pro bono services at the City of Albany Conviction Sealing Clinic & Community Resource Fair should complete this form.
Questions regarding the clinic should be sent to convictionsealing@albanyny.gov.
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