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CITY OF ALBANY

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

24 EAGLE STREET

ALBANY, NEW YORK 12207

* * NEWS RELEASE * *

Date: November 5, 2021

Contact: David Galin

dgalin@albanyny.gov

City of Albany to Host Conviction Sealing Clinic & Community Resource Fair

(See attached flyer)

Albany, NY – Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan announced the City of Albany, in partnership with a number of community organizations, is hosting a walk-in Conviction Sealing Clinic & Community Resource Fair on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, from 1:00pm to 7:00pm at the Central Avenue BID’s STEAM Garden located at 279 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206.

The Clinic will connect City residents with both City of Albany and volunteer lawyers who will help them identify old, low-level criminal convictions that are eligible to be sealed under New York’s Sealing Law passed in 2017. The law limits eligible convictions to misdemeanors and certain felonies that are 10 years or older and do not involve violence or sex offenses. Eligible candidates cannot have more than two, 10-year-old convictions. Sealing eligible convictions removes the stigma of a criminal record and increases possibilities for employment, earnings, promotions, education, loan, and licensing opportunities.

Individuals interested in having their conviction sealed should visit https://www.albanyny.gov/1982/Conviction-Sealing to complete the eligibility form. While appointments are not required, individuals seeking to participate are encouraged to sign up prior to the event to help determine their eligibility and allow staff to prepare the necessary documents to expedite the process.

The City is proud to partner with community organizations including the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, the Black Nurses Coalition, Urban Grief, Capital District Latinos, MVP Healthcare, the City of Albany Department of Recreation, the City of Albany Department of General Services, City of Albany Department of Youth & Workforce Services, and other organizations on this important initiative – organizations that will be in attendance to provide information regarding employment, education, healthcare, and other services available in the City of Albany.

Prior to the Conviction Sealing Clinic there will be a one-hour CLE presented by attorney George LaMarche of LaMarche and Safranko Law, LLP covering everything attorneys will need to know about completing a sealing application for a client. In addition to CLE credit, volunteer attorneys will accumulate pro bono hours depending on their availability for the clinic. Attorneys interested in volunteering and providing pro bono services at the City of Albany Conviction Sealing Clinic & Community Resource Fair should complete this form.

Questions regarding the clinic should be sent to convictionsealing@albanyny.gov.

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