Lentol to Hold Public Hearing on Criminal Records and Youth Offender Status
New York State Assembly Member Joseph R. Lentol (D-Greenpoint, Williamsburg and Fort Greene) will host a public hearing to examine the effectiveness of current laws regarding the sealing of criminal records and to explore the expansion of such laws as well as expanding laws related to youthful offender status.
The sealing of criminal convictions has been a critical component of New York’s success in reforming its criminal justice system. As a result of sealing, people with records of certain arrests, prosecutions, and convictions are more able to rebuild their lives. The New York State Assembly has a long history of working to remove barriers for individuals who come into contact with the criminal justice system in order to promote successful reentry and reduce recidivism. While the sealing provisions enacted as part of Rockefeller Drug Law reform and Raise the Age legislation marked a significant step forward, the laws have been underutilized. This hearing will examine the reasons why more people have not been able to benefit from the sealing provisions and consider ways to improve and potentially expand the laws.
Youthful offender status may be granted to individuals who are charged with committing a crime while being at least 16 years of age but less than 19. Similar to sealing, youthful offender status removes the stigma of a criminal conviction and allows young people to continue through life unencumbered by a criminal record. While youthful offender status has been an effective reentry tool, there have been calls to expand the law’s provisions as well as to allow older youth to benefit. This hearing will examine these proposals and consider how the youthful offender law can be Improved.
The hearing will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 250 Broadway, Assembly Hearing Room 1923, in Manhattan.
Wright to Host Celebration of Local Grassroots Organizations
Assembly Member Tremaine Wright (D-Bed-Stuy) and Citizens Committee for New York City (CCNYC) will host a grantee celebration to highlight resident-led projects that are improving the quality of life across the 56th District.
Members of volunteer groups that have received CCNYC grants to support grassroots neighborhood projects will discuss their work and celebrate the impact their efforts have had on their neighbors and community. The event will also include a chance for grantees to network and share best practices with their neighbors and Assembly Member Wright.
Organizations expected to attend include Quincy Street, Ralph, Patchen Block Association, BK ROT, Self-Care Warriors, Unglitch, Imani Garden, 300 Halsey Street Block Association, 462 Halsey Community Farm, Brooklyn Herb Club, and 583 Park Avenue Beautification Committee.
Join the celebration at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Restoration Plaza, 1360 Fulton Street in Bed-Stuy.
BP Adams to Host Know Your Rights Forum
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams will host a Know Your Rights forum in partnership with City University of New York (CUNY) Rising Alliance and 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care. The Know Your Rights class teaches young people
what to do when interacting with the police. At the forum, participants will learn what to do in various scenarios if stopped by police through discussions and interactive workshops. A lawyer representing CUNY Citizenship NOW! will also make a presentation on immigrant rights.
The forum comes roughly one month after Borough President Adams launched a new pilot program in partnership with the New York City Department of Education (DOE) and Community Counseling & Mediation (CCM), which trains homeless students to lead Know Your Rights trainings for their peers in schools.
The forum will be held at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Brooklyn Borough Hall – Courtroom, 209 Joralemon Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
