(COLUMBUS, OHIO 07/11/2021) – On Sunday, July 11, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) hosted a virtual record sealing clinic to help those with a prior criminal history through the record sealing application process. The July clinic is a part of a monthly program which will continue into the remainder of the year.
The stigma around a prior criminal conviction can be a barrier to accessing essential resources such as employment, housing, education, licensing, and credit. This means individuals who have already gone through the criminal justice system are further punished because of their limited access to opportunities that will help them move forward in their lives. However, eligible candidates may apply for their records to be sealed. If granted, record sealing will remove the applicant’s criminal record from public view. This means they may fill out subsequent employment, housing, and other applications as if the sealed record does not exist.
CAIR-Ohio’s virtual monthly clinic gives participants the opportunity to have a free and confidential legal consultation with CAIR-Ohio’s legal team. The consultation is to determine if participants are eligible for record sealing and help them complete the application materials to be submitted to the court. The clinic is open to everyone in Ohio and can easily be joined over Zoom.
Register for the next record sealing clinic on Sunday, August 15, at 11 a.m. here.
For any questions about the clinic, please contact CAIR-Ohio Policy Director Tala Dahbour at tdahbour@cair.com, or by phone at (614) 401-2920.
