New Booklets to Help People With Criminal Records

LAC's Legal Department is excited to announce the publication of three new booklets to help people with criminal records. These manuals are an update of LAC's one-part guide to obtaining and correcting rap sheets. "Your New York State Rap Sheet: A guide to getting, understanding, and correcting your criminal record": Tells you how to get a copy of your criminal record and how to correct any mistakes in it. It also explains how and what information employers get about your record and when they can get it. (Pictured at left.) "Lowering Criminal Record Barriers: Certificates of Relief/Good Conduct and record sealing": Explains which cases are eligible to be sealed and how to seal them. It also explains who is eligible for a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities or a Certificate of Good Conduct, which can improve your chances of getting a job or housing, as well as how to apply for these Certificates. "Criminal Records and Employment: Protecting yourself from discrimination": A guide to what New York employers may and may not ask about your criminal record, how you should describe your record, and what rights you have to be free of job discrimination because of your record.

Please feel free to circulate the booklets to anyone they might help.

For printed copies, you may pick up booklets in our office, or order them in our online store (the booklets are free, but we do charge for shipping).

Many thanks to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and the Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives for their generous support of this project!