Re: Bills for Sealing Criminal Convictions in New York State
please everone read the link below, and call the press person to thank them for their support of the bill.
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May 3, 2010 ... 60000 inmates in New York State prisons who, when released, often return ... Velmanette Montgomery, Chair of the Senate Committee on Children and Families. ... A.6065 (Lentol)/S.1708 (Sampson) This legislation, while it excludes ... denying individuals on parole the right to vote; this bill removes ...
http://www.cssny.org/.../Press%20Rel...04,%202010.pdf
Re: Bills for Sealing Criminal Convictions in New York State
the new version of the senate bill is up now. It is bill#1708B instead of 1708A. The assembly bill is not up. You all must push the assembly. Lets do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!
Re: Bills for Sealing Criminal Convictions in New York State
Here's a link to the new Senate bill revision (S1708):
http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S1708B
The only real changes are basically so it's compatible with the Rockefeller Reform Law but double-check it to make sure you're not excluded.
Now it's going to be dropped off at the Assembly tomorrow so they can update their version (A6065B). Knowing them they'll try to delay since that's what they're notorious for. So what everyone on here has to do is go to the previous page in this forum and write and call everyone on that list. This is going to be a very important week and I know that a lot of people on here do contact these legislators regularly. However there are also some readers that just look at the posts and expect these bills to pass on their own.
However like I said before, it really doesn't work like that. Take the people who come on here and ask about a bill for sealing non-violent/non-sexual felonies. I've been telling them since at least the beginning of last year to call in and write about it. I even gave them leads on who to talk to as people like Dan Salvin, Senator Craig Johnson, numerous other legislators, and various outside organizations want one. However what did the people that asked about it do? They disappeared. And did a bill ever get made up? No, it did not. Also when the couple users that were excluded by the new revisions to these bills back in March complained about it on here I told them to write in and call immediately. But what did they do? Nothing. And the revisions stayed.
Granted the changes might have stayed anyway. And maybe there still wouldn't be a bill for sealing the felonies either. But there could have been. My point is now no one will ever know. And all those people can do at this point is complain because it's too late in the session.
Right now the people that aren't helping out and that this bill will allow them to seal a conviction are at a similar point. Especially since this bill could very well die right here. And if it was business as usual and the bill didn't make any real progress like in previous sessions I would've been disappointed but I wouldn't have been shocked. However this time it's different. There have been two revisions already, the Senate has put it in the budget, and it's made its way all the way up to the Governor who's personally checked it out (and also likes it). So if it doesn't make it any farther now, it'll truly be heartbreaking, especially since we probably won't get a chance like this again for a long, long time.
So please all of you, go back one page in this thread and look at the contacts in the Assembly and the Governor and send out letters and calls to them immediately. I know some people have been great about this but we need new voices to get past this last bump. If the Assembly puts it in the budget that's pretty much all we need right now. Please stay on them to get their revised version of A6065 done and have them put it in the budget.
We either band together now and finish this as a team or we go right back to where we started. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Let the legislators know how important this bill is and how it'll bring in more money for the state of New York. Let them know that just because you committed a minor offense that you're still a human being and deserve the chance to move past it and get on with a productive life.
Don't do what the people did who complained before and then disappeared. That means... don't do nothing. Instead do something. Even do a lot! Please everyone, get involved. Mail letters, send e-mails, and call. The time is now! Let's make this upcoming week count!
Re: Bills for Sealing Criminal Convictions in New York State
everyone must push. The focus needs to be on the assembly lead members such as Lentol, silver, Aubry, and Dan Salvin.
I would also lobby senator Kleins office. Craig johnson is already on board at this time.
Again Johnny is laser like on point you must do more. If with a democratic senate in place and that is a long shot at this point for november someone like cuomo who odds say will be our next Governor might veto a bill like this or at the very least exclude more crimes from it.
Re: Bills for Sealing Criminal Convictions in New York State
Add to favorites Examiner Bio Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act: Senators Aggressively Move for Passage
June 6, 7:35 PMNY Public Policy ExaminerEdward NelsonPrevious Comment Subscribe Subscribe
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Our New York State Senators are hard at work and aggressively moving toward passage of the Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act. Majority Leader John L. Sampson and Assembly Code Chair Joe Lentol are truly representing change by moving senate bill S1708 and assembly bill A6065 through the New York State Legislature. However, these remarkable legislators are not alone in forging forward with the Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act. Sponsors like the savvy Senators Diaz, Montgomery, Addabbo, Hassell-Thompson and Assembly members Powell, Perry, Wright, Jeffries, Benjamin, Ortiz, and Lavine have collectively supported the passage of the Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act.
In summary, the legislation deals with the sealing of misdemeanor convictions for nonviolent and non-sexual crimes. In these misdemeanor convictions there could not have been a crime involving a weapon or actual violence. However, there must be a five year lapse of time since the conviction or termination of probation supervision to be eligible to petition for the sealing order. After sixty (60) days from the date of receipt of the petition, the District Attorney’s Office must submit a written recommendation either conceding or objecting to the sealing order. Upon receipt of both the petition and recommendation the Court will make a ruling on the petition.
If the order is granted, it shall seal the misdemeanor conviction and restore the individual to the status s/he enjoyed pre-conviction. Thereafter, the petitioner does not have to divulge the conviction to an employer and will not be guilty of perjury for stating that s/he has not been convicted of the criminal charge that has been sealed. A record of the conviction shall be maintained by the court in the event of a subsequent conviction for adjudicatory purposes.
The citizens of New York State can use a second chance in its criminal policy. This bill will be incorporated into the budget for passage because it has a fee attachment; however, it appears that the fiscal implications would pay for itself if the petition comes with an allocated cost for filing. Well, Governor Paterson has enough on his platter and this would definitely help the economy. Let’s make it happen New York!
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Re: Bills for Sealing Criminal Convictions in New York State
Everyone please lobby speaker Silver he is the person that will ultimately make the decision at this point. Aubry, Lentol the bills sponsor are genuinely for this bill. However it comes down to silver. Aldo Dan Salvin is the inbetween a lot of the times especially on these issues so keep lobbying him.
Re: Bills for Sealing Criminal Convictions in New York State
Here's a link to that article Equality posted a couple days ago:
http://www.examiner.com/x-48240-NY-P...ve-for-Passage
Hopefully that'll attract more people to help lobby.
Now in the meantime it appears that we all really need to focus on one person right now with our lobbying efforts and that's the Speaker of the Assembly: Sheldon Silver. However when you contact him or his representatives let them know your usual information, but what you have to stress is how bill A6065 will benefit New York State's budget since a lot of revenue will be taken in when applicants pay their sealing fee. I can't stress how important it is that we all do this if we ever want to get the sealing bill in the Assembly's budget and have a chance of it passing.
So please everyone contact the House Speaker -- Assemblyman Sheldon Silver. If you can please write him a letter supporting Bill A6065 and do a follow-up call as well. He can be contacted at:
Assemblyman Sheldon Silver
LOB 932
Albany, NY 12248
(518) 455-3791
Also if you can, please send him an e-mail. His address is: speaker@assembly.state.ny.us
After you e-mail him, call Silver's Communication Director Mr. Kevin Hogan at (518) 455-4911, so that way he can look out for it.
Finally, please call Bill Collins who is the Counsel to Silver and voice your support at (518) 455-4191.
Re: Bills for Sealing Criminal Convictions in New York State
Ok guys, I went ahead and did EVERYTHING on Johnny's list on the previous page TWICE, I called, emailed, faxed, left voicemail and regular messages EVERY SINGLE PERSON on that list TWICE for the past 3 days, and my wife, mother, 2 sisters and me and my dad all did what i just mentioned above, so it wasn't just me alone :) I hope we can do this, johnny and equality thank you for all your help so far, and I will continue help you guys because we are all in this together and this isnt going to magically happen, we cant sit back and expect others to do our work for us. Johnny you were spot on. I even called my own 3 assemblyman in Yonkers for all 3 districts and my Senator and I called, emailed, faxed and left messages for all 4 of them. I really am trying guys, I really need this and if Cuomo comes into office, its all gone. Lets keep on pushing guys and God Bless!!
Re: Bills for Sealing Criminal Convictions in New York State
Excellent job. Aohan. We can do it. and as you so rightfully articulated next year although not impossible would be a lot tougher and lot more offenses would be excluded. And as i stated pratically every job now requires background checks. Please fight for your right to have equal opportunities.
Re: Bills for Sealing Criminal Convictions in New York State
Hello guys. I just recently began reading this site, but i've been fighting for the sealing of misdemeanors for close to 20 years. i've sent letters to all the assemblymen and senators listed on this site as requested by Johnny Leary and Equality. My question is although i'm aware that this bill has been put in the senate's budget, has there been any news as to whether the assembly has put this bill in their budger as well?
Hello guys. I just recently began reading this site, but i've been fighting for the sealing of misdemeanors for close to 20 years. i've sent sent letters to all the assemblymen and senators listed on this site as requested by Johnny Leary and Equality. My question is although i'm aware that this bill has been put in the senate's budget has there been any news as to whether the assembly has put this bill in their budget as well?