Bills for Sealing Criminal Convictions in New York State

[Johnny Leary]

Hello all, New York State's legislative session will start up again in a few weeks (I've been told it's tentatively the second week of January) and the time is upon us to lobby again.

Some updates that have happened in the interim: first, the Assembly bill is up to 18 co/multi-sponsors and its sister bill in the Senate is now up to 4.

Secondly, it appears the hostile climate in the Senate has calmed down a bit and the legislators have worked together to resolve some other issues back in November. This means bills will get voted on now.

Lastly, I called the Senate Codes Committee and it appears Simone Levine finished up with what she has to do as both bills are now in Codes for both the Assembly and Senate. I was told the best step for what to do next is pressure Assemblyman Lentol and Senator Sampson to get moving on their bills and have them put to a vote.

So everyone who's interested please help and give these two people a call requesting they move on the bill listed next to their name:

1. Assemblyman Joseph Lentol (Bill # A6065): (518) 455-4477 / (718) 383-7474

2. Senator John Sampson (Bill # S1708): (518) 455-2788 / (718) 649-7653


These bills would allow ALL non-violent and non-sexual misdemeanors to be sealed. For Bill # A6065, please look over the bill’s details here:

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A06065

Bill # S1708 (its sister bill in the Senate) includes the same things. The bill’s details are here (just copy the bill # and paste it in the Senate's search engine):

http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi

The other thing to do is please try to get as many people as you can to write in to your representatives in both the Assembly and Senate asking them to support these bills and/or sign up to be a co- or multi-sponsor on them. You can find them along with their address easily on these sites for your region:

http://www.nysenate.gov/senators

http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/

Write in to the Senators supporting Bill # S1708 and write in to the Assemblymen in support of Bill # A6065.

I figure no matter what it's worth a shot since we still have 1 more session with a democratic governor and with the way republican ones got elected in NJ and VA this past election worried me so I think it's better to work with what we have before New York has an election for Governor in November 2010. Even with a possible republican "majority" in the senate now, our bill isn't too outrageous that they still wouldn't vote for it anyway.

Hopefully everyone had a good break... however it's time to get back to work. If anyone has any questions or concerns please post or send me a private message.

[Johnny Leary]

Something very important has been brought to my attention and it's just as imperative to get involved with this as soon as you can. The New York Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is backing the sealing and expungement of criminal convictions in the state and they set up a hotline (it's toll free so there's no excuse not to call). Their main page is here:

http://www.nysacdl.org/

The info and secondary link is in the middle left of the page. Or if you want to go directly to it:

http://www.nysacdl.org/UserFiles/Fil...ng%20Flier.pdf

"NYSACDL is collecting stories from people who have been adversely affected by an old conviction to support legislation providing for sealing of criminal records in certain situations. Please join this effort by passing along the HOTLINE INFORMATION and by reaching out to affected individuals who may have a story they are willing to contribute. Affected persons are invited to call the HOTLINE and tell their stories. Callers may remain anonymous."

NYSACDL Backs Expungement Legislation - Post Conviction Sealing Hotline: 1-888-898-0700 X161

As it states callers can remain anonymous and it's free. If you have a story of how you made a mistake in the past and are now being discriminated for it on multiple levels (job applications, college entry, travel to other countries [i.e. Canada], etc.) then please call. This goes especially for those where a lot of time has passed since, yet they're still not allowed to move on. Or if you messed up and it's obvious you won't do it again.

It appears the hotline is only manned on Fridays but I encourage everyone to call ASAP. As it says they will call you back and the next two Fridays in a row are holidays so please do it now. Your story will make a difference as it will put a face to our legislation.

I've heard that a lot of people are getting behind it. And with more and more high profile people being convicted of crimes in NY, there is a strong belief this will get done as we still technically have a Democratic majority in both houses. With a little bit of work now, we can prevail! But I need all of you to help. You'll be glad you did when this goes through and your life can go back to the way it was and should be.

[Clock]

Awesome to see this up and running... I'll certainly get going. Spread the word about this, folks. It's a good cause.

[equality]

Please everyone who is reading this get involved. Without peoples help who are truly affected by a past conviction, this bill or other bills will go nowhere. People who have no convictions have pushed for a bill like this. So people convicted have to push harder. Please make your self known, and don't be passive. Even a message on this site would stir things up in a positive direction.
People from new york are losing thier right to jobs, and other things to people from other states that allow sealing/expungement. It is not right, and say so.

[Johnny Leary]

Slight update: I talked to Assemblyman Lentol's office and the A6065 bill was resubmitted to the Codes Committee back on January 6th. They said talk to Dan Salvin to help push it through.

I also spoke with Senator Sampson's office and the Assembly wants them to change the wording of the S1708 bill. So they'll have to go back and look at the Rockefeller Reform bill and take items out that're already listed in it to avoid redundancy.

I asked what we could do to help and they said just have people call their office to let them know they support it and keep calling back to check for updates. But it does sound like it's an important one to them and they've received a lot of calls so far which is helping but everyone needs to keep going and get other people to do the same.

So for now please call the following three people, the first for the Senate version of the bill and the second two for the Assembly version of the bill. Let them know it's important, ask for the status, and ask for them to push for it. That way they get it voted on in the Codes Committees and passed:

1. Senator John Sampson (Bill # S1708): (518) 455-2788
2. Dan Salvin (Bill # A6065) - (518) 455-4313
3. Assemblyman Lentol (Bill #A6065) – (518) 455-4477

[pplexed]

I called and spoke with personal in Senator Sampson's office as well. Apparently, some wording needs to be sorted out. Please call and indicate that this bill needs to be worked out, and brought up for a vote.

[Johnny Leary]

Hello macrylinda and welcome to the board! Please subscribe to this thread and go to your account options so you're notified by e-mail when you receive a message.

Like you said in your post the biggest obstacle people with a conviction in New York State face is themselves. There are so many out there yet there are very few who actively lobby. The people in just about every other state would be protesting left and right but in New York the residents are silent, which is why we still remain the only state without any type of sealing or expungement options for misdemeanors or felonies.

This is something we can help ourselves on and that goes for you too macrylinda. Please stay active on the board and when the time comes for the legislative session to start up again then write and call all the important representatives. Don't disappear like so many users, because then we have to start from scratch.

When December comes, we all need to band together and get as many people as possible to demand New Yore State adapts to modern times, because this is getting ridiculous.

[equality]

yes welcome aboard. if someone can think of an idea where we can open an escrow account, and raise a million dollars or so. considering there well over 3 million people with new york misdemeanors and even more with non-violent felonies. if each person donated $25.00 or so we can hire the best lobbying firm. even if a million people donated that would be 50 million. there has to be more people involved let build a war chest.

[sealing123]

everyone has been doing a great job advocating somemore like johnny and equality and some less.
There is going to be a fundraiser at a private home for senator sampson where you can talk to him and advocate this bill and show your support. Donations start at $250.00 to attend.
It is on sunday august 15 on long island. At least 10 people from this site need to come and say you saw it on this website.
now is the time.
call charlene at
9175483997.
make your voice known in person, and when you call charlene tell her you saw it here and are advocating for this bill.

[longisland]

Hello all, New York State's legislative session will start up again in a few weeks (I've been told it's tentatively the second week of January) and the time is upon us to lobby again.

Some updates that have happened in the interim: first, the Assembly bill is up to 18 co/multi-sponsors and its sister bill in the Senate is now up to 4.

Secondly, it appears the hostile climate in the Senate has calmed down a bit and the legislators have worked together to resolve some other issues back in November. This means bills will get voted on now.

Lastly, I called the Senate Codes Committee and it appears Simone Levine finished up with what she has to do as both bills are now in Codes for both the Assembly and Senate. I was told the best step for what to do next is pressure Assemblyman Lentol and Senator Sampson to get moving on their bills and have them put to a vote.

So everyone who's interested please help and give these two people a call requesting they move on the bill listed next to their name:

1. Assemblyman Joseph Lentol (Bill # A6065): (518) 455-4477 / (718) 383-7474

2. Senator John Sampson (Bill # S1708): (518) 455-2788 / (718) 649-7653


These bills would allow ALL non-violent and non-sexual misdemeanors to be sealed. For Bill # A6065, please look over the bill’s details here:

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A06065

Bill # S1708 (its sister bill in the Senate) includes the same things. The bill’s details are here (just copy the bill # and paste it in the Senate's search engine):

http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi

The other thing to do is please try to get as many people as you can to write in to your representatives in both the Assembly and Senate asking them to support these bills and/or sign up to be a co- or multi-sponsor on them. You can find them along with their address easily on these sites for your region:

http://www.nysenate.gov/senators

http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/

Write in to the Senators supporting Bill # S1708 and write in to the Assemblymen in support of Bill # A6065.

I figure no matter what it's worth a shot since we still have 1 more session with a democratic governor and with the way republican ones got elected in NJ and VA this past election worried me so I think it's better to work with what we have before New York has an election for Governor in November 2010. Even with a possible republican "majority" in the senate now, our bill isn't too outrageous that they still wouldn't vote for it anyway.

Hopefully everyone had a good break... however it's time to get back to work. If anyone has any questions or concerns please post or send me a private message.

Hello John:
Where does the bill lie at this point ??

Let m,e know if it is too late to revert to people, since with my over 16 years of getting my DWI(, I am still not at peace, having had to fight for 9 nyears for my US citizenship, after I sued the USCIS with a pro Bono Writ of Mandamus,Almost Lost my Airport job in 2007, and eventually got fully badged, lost my marriage partially due to the stigma and accusations by ex spouse for my past mistakes.

However, since also have gained my Airport secirity badge, Airman/Pilot certification, and now at age 47 am venturing for volunteer Auxiliary Police Officers which allows only 1 alcohol related incident.My potential Comaanding Offivers are trying for a waiver, but what better way if this bill goes through.

Let me know so I can act accordingly.