A Call to Action From VLJ — Help Clear Criminal Records During Second Chance Month
Dear Friends,
This week, for over 25 hours, our nation listened to the words—and pleas—of New Jersey’s senior United States Senator, Cory Booker. Senator Booker called on champions to rise and act, warning that “the threats to the American people and American democracy are grave and urgent, and we all must do more to stand against them.” Senator Booker is no stranger to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, having helped launch ReLeSe, our Reentry Legal Services Program, in 2007 while serving as then-mayor of Newark. His words are particularly meaningful in light of April being Second Chance Month.
In honor of Second Chance month and Senator Booker’s record-breaking speech, VLJ calls on our incredible network of volunteers to represent clients with criminal record clearing through expungement. VLJ has over 20 expungement clients in need of legal assistance. One client, 73-year-old “Donald,” is eligible for an expungement of offenses from over 40 years ago, but needs a volunteer attorney to file a paper-based petition due to the age of the matters. Several clients, like 54-year-old “Aisha,” have multiple drug convictions and need a pro bono attorney to demonstrate that compelling circumstances exist for her to qualify for a Clean Slate expungement.
The impact of expungement cannot be overstated. Those without criminal records are 63% more likely to get a job interview and report a more than 20% raise in their income within just one year of record clearing. Expungement clients also report being able to obtain housing, access government assistance, and even coach their children's sports team after clearing their records. Expungement truly provides our clients, their families, and communities with a second chance.
Donald and Aisha need your help. Our goal is to place 20 expungement cases this Second Chance Month. If you have not taken an expungement case before, VLJ is here to help. We have recorded training videos, written materials, and mentors to support you. If you are willing to say “Yes!” to a pro bono case, please reply to this email or contact Emerald Sheay at esheay@vljnj.org. And, for a full list of available pro bono matters, please visit vljnj.org/pro-bono-opportunities.
In the parting words of Senator Booker: "We all have a responsibility, I believe, to do something different, to cause, as John Lewis said, ‘good trouble.’"