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Rommy Kassim

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Collateral Consequences

How a Criminal Record Keeps Young Adults From Stable Housing

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Stable housing can help prevent young adults from becoming repeat offenders. Housing instability puts young adults at a higher risk of incarceration and homelessness. Homelessness can lead young adults to commit crimes in order to survive, which keeps this unfortunate cycle in motion. For instance, people without a home must find a place to sleep, which can result in an arrest for trespassing. In many cases, young adults cannot find housing post-incarceration because of a lack of educational and employment opportunities.

Due to family discord, many families do not allow their children to move back in after their arrest, and some families may have lost stable housing themselves. Housing authorities and landlords typically refuse to allow people with a criminal record to rent a space because they want to prevent criminal activity from taking place on the property. Even if a landlord were to allow a young adult with a criminal record to rent property, their options would likely be limited because of employment and financial issues.

A criminal record can prevent young adults from finding employment because many companies do not hire those with a record. Companies who do choose to hire former offenders usually don’t present them with opportunities for upward advancement. Typically, these young adults are left either underemployed or unemployed.

The ability to finish school can be extremely limited depending on their age at incarceration. Education has a direct effect on employment opportunities. Young adults who didn’t finish their education usually have lower paying jobs, leaving them unable to pay for stable housing. Again, this keeps the cycle in motion. To lower the rate at which young adults become repeat offenders, those with a criminal record must be provided with greater opportunities to obtain a stable place to live.

If you think your criminal record is holding you back from adequate housing, reach out to Easy Expunctions today to see if a clear record could be in your future: 1-866-899-0266

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Uncategorized

Florida Police Department Changing Policies and Granting Expunctions After the Arrest of Two Six-Year-Olds

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There are many people out there who deserve to have their records cleared. This is especially true for minors who don’t understand the gravity of their actions and haven’t had a shot at life with a clean slate. When you picture a “minor” in this type of situation, you probably imagine a 16-year-old who got caught doing something stupid—not a six-year-old.

Two Orlando children were handcuffed and arrested last month at a charter school by a police officer after having a “tantrum.” One little girl was even fingerprinted by the officer and had her mugshot taken. You’re probably thinking “How can this be legal?” It’s not. Even before this incident, OPD had a policy stating you need to get permission from a watch commander before taking someone into custody who is under 12 years of age. And now, after the occurrence sparked national outrage, these officers are required to get approval from a deputy chief.

Fortunately, Chief Rolan of OPD is requesting FDLE for an administrative expunction of any of the charges brought against the six-year-old girl to make amends.

This is why expunctions are important—the criminal justice system isn’t perfect, and oversight is common. Officers don’t always act in compliance with the law and once something is in the system, it’s hard to remove. If it weren’t for the ability to clear records, these kids would have a blot on their records forever, with no context on how the officer acted out of bounds with the state’s laws regarding arresting minors. Expunctions provide a clean slate so that citizens can move on from an undesirable instance and still have a fighting chance for a successful life.

For more information on criminal record clearing, visit EasyExpunctions.com or give us a call at 1-866-899-0266.

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Background Checks

Advice for Parents of Those With a Criminal Record

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As a parent, you’ve inevitably witnessed your child make numerous mistakes, some being more serious than others. Certain mistakes can be left on your child’s record permanently, which will ultimately lead them to a life full of restrictions and hardships unless steps are taken to have these mistakes expunged from their juvenile or adult criminal record.

Even if your child was found not guilty or if the charges were dismissed, their arrest may still be available to the public. This means that your child’s mistake, regardless of conviction, can place a limit on their life forever.

An expungement is the process of having information on a criminal record erased or sealed from the public. Without one, your child’s criminal record will appear on background checks, and over 80% of employers run background checks on all applicants.  If eligible, following through with the expungement will provide your child with greater job, housing, loan, and educational opportunities in the future.

The best advice we can give is for you to discover if your child’s criminal record is eligible for an expunction because once the mistake is expunged from their record, it cannot be used against them. Nothing should hold your child back from pursuing their dreams, and a clean criminal record is the best way to give them the greatest chance at success.

Start by having your child sign up for a free background report from Easy Expunctions. We can pinpoint what exactly is on their criminal record and whether or not it’s eligible to be removed. Using our online software will save you thousands of dollars, and will save your child from the lifelong hardships of a criminal record. Call us at 866-899-0266 to get started.

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Expunctions

Understanding Waiting Periods for Expunctions in Texas

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In today’s digitalized world, you should be aware that courts provide arrest records in the same manner that they report convictions. When employers, landlords, or pretty much anyone else runs a background check on you, it falls on the background screening company to interpret that reported information. This means that if you’ve been arrested, even if you weren’t formally charged, the indiscretion will still be visible to anyone who cares enough to look for it.

In Texas, you’ll be able to rid your record of a crime if you weren’t charged and you’ve met the specified waiting periods. If no charges have been filed after the waiting period has passed, you can likely obtain an expunction.

So, what exactly are these waiting periods?

For Class C Misdemeanors, you must wait 180 days from the date of your arrest. Class C is the lowest level criminal offense in the state of Texas and is usually punishable by a fine up to $500. There is no jail time for Class C Misdemeanors.

For Class A and B Misdemeanors, you must wait one full year. Class A Misdemeanors are the most serious of misdemeanor charges and can garner you a year in county jail and a fine of up to $4,000. Class B Misdemeanors come next and can carry a punishment of 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000.

For felonies, it’s a bit longer—you have to wait a full three years from the date of your arrest. Felonies are the most serious types of offenses and can get you between 2 and 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

For these waiting periods to be valid, the case cannot still be pending and the police cannot be actively investigating you. If you believe you’ve met these waiting periods and you’re ready for a fresh start without the roadblock of a criminal record, get in touch with Easy Expunctions. We can streamline the process and get you a second chance quickly for a fraction of the cost of a traditional lawyer.  

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Texas

Can I Have My Petty Theft Record Expunged?

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Petty Theft is defined as a theft crime distinguished by low value, in Texas theft of property worth less than $100 is the lowest level theft offense. It’s a Class C Misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine but no jail time. The severity of the charge and associated punishment increases with the value of the stolen property. For example, theft of property worth more than $2,500 is a state jail felony in Texas.

Though it’s not a high-level crime, having a petty theft charge on your record can cause serious problems. While all convictions carry negative consequences, employers have shown themselves to be more likely to pass up a potential employee who has a theft charge because of concerns that you may steal from their business. Even if you stole something as insignificant as a can of soda, the charge will appear on your record and continue to hold you back from achieving your full potential.

Fortunately, most states will allow you to have an arrest or conviction for petty theft expunged. The chances of a successful expunction are high if this was your only brush with the criminal justice system, and you’ve managed to stay out of trouble since the incident. Getting rid of your petty theft record will improve your employment opportunities because employers will not be able to see the charge. Moreover, you can legally answer no to any questions asking about your arrest.

There are many factors that will determine if you’re able to receive an expunction, so if you’re serious about clearing the charge from your record, you should reach out to us to determine your eligibility. We can get you a free background report and help you find out if you qualify. Once the charge is expunged, the court will destroy all records of the arrest and court proceedings, making it as if the incident never happened. You don’t have to live your life with a past mistake looming over your head—we can give you the fresh start you need to live your life to the fullest. 

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Collateral Consequences

Criminal Records Keep Americans in a Cycle of Poverty

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The consequences of having a criminal record are plentiful. It prevents many from finding employment, presents obstacles when applying for housing, makes it difficult to secure professional licenses, and can even prevent family reunification. The ease of accessing criminal history data via the internet has made it hard for many to succeed in their personal and professional endeavors.

But what you may not realize is that a criminal record can be a direct cause of poverty.

The sad truth is that our criminal justice system makes it virtually impossible for those with records to become productive members of society. This doesn’t just hold back Americans at an individual level; it hurts families, communities, and the economy overall. A 2010 Center for Economic and Policy Research report notes that the cost of employment losses for those with criminal records is estimated to be $65 billion per year, in terms of gross domestic product.

America imprisons its citizens more than any other nation, and we do it repeatedly. Data from the National Institute of Justice tells us that 79% of prisoners released will be arrested again within seven years. The majority of these people are working-age men who would normally strive to be a primary earner for their families—men between 25 and 54 make up over 70% of prison populations. So not only are these men unable to keep their households afloat when they are imprisoned but when they are released, they are oftentimes unable to find work. And when they’re faced with long-term unemployment, many returns to criminal activity as a way to make ends meet. This is how the cycle of poverty works, and it’s nearly impossible to break it.

Though Ban the Box initiatives are gaining traction across the country, it’s not enough. Conviction history is too large of an obstacle for those trying to find work. Labor force discrimination hurts the economy, especially in vulnerable minority communities. Americans with criminal records want the same thing everyone wants: to succeed professionally, provide for their loved ones, and live a little bit larger than previous generations have. Sadly, many of them won’t be given a chance. If you’ve had trouble garnering employment because of your criminal record, give us a call at 877-628-1214. We can determine if an expunction or non-disclosure is an option for your conviction or arrest record. We know that a clear record empowers you to pursue any career you wish, and our goal is to give Americans a second chance to succeed.

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Background Checks

Interested in Driving for Uber or Lyft? Better Have a Clean Background Check!

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The creation of apps like Uber and Lyft has been a godsend for many. Rideshares allow you to get around town easily, quickly, and for less than a cab. They’re also a no-brainer for those who plan to go out and drink alcohol—no need to worry about risking driving under the influence or getting your car towed when you can get home safe and sound for a reasonable fee. 

Another major plus is that many Americans now have an additional source of income. Part-time and full-time workers can supplement their income with these wages from the comfort of their own car, simply by driving around their own cities. You’re your own boss, you pick your own hours, and you can cash out your earnings that day. The job seems to be a win-win all around. However, it’s important to know that as the final step of their signup process, Uber and Lyft require their drivers to consent to a full background check.

Most rideshare companies generally use a third party to conduct these searches, which include national and local databases. They’ll check your Motor Vehicle record as well as your criminal history. Local laws often dictate which specific criteria they apply to your background search, but here’s what they’ll likely deny drivers for:

  • Being on the National Sex Offender Registry
  • 1 serious driving-related conviction in the past seven years (basically any felony involving a vehicle)
  • 1 DUI/DWI or other drug-related driving violation in the past 7 years.
  • 1 single major moving violation in the past 3 years (reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, etc.)
  • 3+ minor moving violations in the past 3 years (accidents, traffic light violations, etc.)
  • A conviction for one of the following violent crimes: homicide, kidnapping, human trafficking, carjacking, aggravated assault, acts of terror, robbery, or property damage offenses.

In addition to these, there are other records and offenses that can make it harder for you to be eligible to drive for a rideshare. You should also know that Uber and Lyft conduct annual background checks, so if you get in trouble with the law while driving for them, they’ll probably find out about it.

If you’ve been considering becoming a driver for a rideshare company but think you could be denied because of your criminal record, reach out to Easy Expunctions. While not all of the above listed convictions can be expunged, many can. We will work with you to determine if you’re eligible to receive an expunction, which will legally remove the offense from official records and databases. Our goal is to give you the opportunity to pursue any job you want without the burden of a criminal history.
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