Stock image* Names and dates have been altered to protect client’s identity.
In 2003, “David” was arrested for purchasing marijuana. He was not jailed and was allowed to return home after being questioned and processed at the police station. Two years later, David pled guilty to “possession with intent to distribute”—a conviction that, according to his attorney, would make it easier for him to find a job.
Prior to his arrest, David was a college senior studying computer science. He looked forward to completing an internship and getting a job after graduation. However, with a 4th degree felony on his record, David’s relationships and employment opportunities fell through. In fact, his record would gravely impact the next decade and a half of his life. In David’s words, “A half ounce of weed affected my life for almost 17 years.”
According to Karen Robinson, Managing Attorney at Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) and coordinator of VLJ’s ReLeSe (Reentry Legal Services) program,
“A criminal record punishes a person long after their sentence has been fulfilled. There is a lifelong stigma is attached to those who have been convicted of a crime—even if that crime was low-level and nonviolent. This is neither fair nor does it make society safer. That is why criminal record expungement is such an invaluable service.”
In 2017, after being prevented from applying for a commercial driving license training program, a friend recommended that David contact VLJ. His case was accepted, but it took an additional two years for David to finally overcome the consequences of a decision made in his twenties. One afternoon in 2021, he received an email from his volunteer attorney. After saying a prayer and preparing himself for possible bad news, David opened the email and finally read the words he’d hoped to see: "Let me be the first to congratulate you."
Following the clearing of his record, David was able to apply for a job without having to “check the box” to indicate he was a convicted felon. Moreover, as a single father, he could now pursue work that allowed him to spend more time with his son. David reports that he currently enjoys a fulfilling career working in education. VLJ is honored to have played a role in helping David reclaim his life.