Mass incarceration and racially disparate involvement of African-Americans in the criminal justice system are forms of racial oppression. Work and economic mobility are pathways to a better life and out of poverty, and everyone deserves a chance to work, support their children, and engage productively in their communities.
We started the CORI, Re-entry, and Racial Justice Project in 2008 in response to numerous requests for help with the devastating effects of the criminal legal system and criminal offender record information (CORI).
CORI Lawyer for the Day Clinics and Self-help Booklets
The Project focuses on Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan due to very high rates of unemployment, incarceration, and extreme poverty in these parts of Boston.
We hold a walk-in clinic on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 9 am to noon and advertise other clinics at other venues throughout the year. The Project updates the CORI part of the Mass Legal Help website and produces self-help booklets on sealing of records. Access Record Sealing and Other Booklets.
Direct Client Services
The Project represents individual clients and engages in systemic law reform and legislative advocacy. Cases accepted include:
- Legal advice on CORI issues and representation of clients at criminal record sealing and expungement hearings. Access Record Sealing and Other Booklets.
- Appeal of denials of criminal record and juvenile sealing petitions.
- Fixing mistakes on CORI reports.
- Cases where a judge ordered sealing or expungement, but the Commissioner of Probation will not seal or expunge the CORI as ordered, or the offenses still appear on the Mass Courts public website.
- Helping survivors of trafficking, domestic violence or other abuse with “show cause” hearings, record sealing and family law matters related to abuse.
Impact Advocacy
The Project engages in public policy and legislative advocacy as well as systemic law reform litigation and appeals. Related to litigation and appeal.