H. R. 1529 - The Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act of 2009

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Some recent comments: these messages are published with permission of the signer.

im a anesthesia tech. i cannot get a job due to my non violent criminal record, im not a convicted felon. i have had 4 interviews and was offered job, until my background came back.its not fair, it descrimination to the highest. i have been unemployed for four years. my unemployment is over and im on food stamps, neither i want. i want to work. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!
If I knew what I know now... I probably would have tried to get a real lawyer vs. public defender, and tried harder to not have a FEDERAL 1st time non-violent felony. Which they (public defenders and justice system) make sound ok, and I thought I could have it sealed or expunged like other people I have read about and know throughout history have done. Yet I didn't know It was only available for state level offenses.. :( They DO NOT explain HOW LIMITING a single 1st time non violent federal felony really is. If I understand correctly, I can not run for office and try to fix things, I cant be a licensed electrician? or any trade really.. certain degrees they let you get but you cant use them?? whats the point? ex. Architect. I have 81 credits in a program that I possibly cant do a thing with now.. where is the motivation to try and do anything?? I have a hard time getting ANY job. I deliver pizza's part time and try to get better jobs but apparently I cant.
Inever had any trouble with the law until i let my ex move in with me he had weed in my house my son probation officer was looking for him he was not there so i let them in they seen weed and took me to jail i was chareged with it i lost my job and place cant get a job on probation i cant pay $3000 dollars
I have made one mistake in my life and have learned from that mistake from that very moment when I was in hand cuffs. I was young and stupid and no matter how hard things got financially I never even thought about doing something illegal to make things a little bit easier financially. Before I got in trouble I wanted to join the military and was about to after I got my associates degree and the semester right before I got my degree I got in trouble with the law for marijuana. This has changed my life dramatically and all I want is a second chance and to become a productive citizen that I know I am very capable of. This is the only mistake I have ever made according to law and it crushes me that I get turned away from jobs all because of a mistake I made when I was younger. Been clean since and dont even like to drink alcohol. I would love to be able to join the military to serve my country but if I am not capable to do that I would atleast want to be able to secure a job that I can support my family financially and just live comfortable. I also am a certified electrician and am going to school to become an electrical engineer and I just hope that one day laws will change where I can put my talents to work. Please give us a second chance. Especially for those of us who made one mistake that have stayed out of trouble since. Please dont punish people for a life time and atleast change the laws where we only are considered felons for a certain amount of time considering the crimes we have made and consider our criminal past as well, but to punish people for a life time for a mistake is inhumane. We are human not Jesus. Humans make mistakes and we learn from them mistakes. If people are always turned away from their criminal past a lot of people still got to feed their kids and if they cant get it legally their are people out there that arent as fortunate as I have been and turn back to crime to put food on the table for their families. I KNOW that if laws were changed for people who have felonies to get relief from this evil curse called a "felony" that haunts us every where we go, that crime rates would fall and less people would be going to jail or prison which means less tax dollars being spent on people that are being incarcerated. Please consider this into law. Thank you for your consideration.
I have made one mistake in my life and have learned from that mistake from that very moment when I was in hand cuffs. I was young and stupid and no matter how hard things got financially I never even thought about doing something illegal to make things a little bit easier financially. Before I got in trouble I wanted to join the military and was about to after I got my associates degree and the semester right before I got my degree I got in trouble with the law for marijuana. This has changed my life dramatically and all I want is a second chance and to become a productive citizen that I know I am very capable of. This is the only mistake I have ever made according to law and it crushes me that I get turned away from jobs all because of a mistake I made when I was younger. Been clean since and dont even like to drink alcohol. I would love to be able to join the military to serve my country but if I am not capable to do that I would atleast want to be able to secure a job that I can support my family financially and just live comfortable. I also am a certified electrician and am going to school to become an electrical engineer and I just hope that one day laws will change where I can put my talents to work. Please give us a second chance. Especially for those of us who made one mistake that have stayed out of trouble since. Please dont punish people for a life time and atleast change the laws where we only are considered felons for a certain amount of time considering the crimes we have made and consider our criminal past as well, but to punish people for a life time for a mistake is inhumane. We are human not Jesus. Humans make mistakes and we learn from them mistakes. If people are always turned away from their criminal past a lot of people still got to feed their kids and if they cant get it legally their are people out there that arent as fortunate as I have been and turn back to crime to put food on the table for their families. I KNOW that if laws were changed for people who have felonies to get relief from this evil curse called a "felony" that haunts us every where we go, that crime rates would fall and less people would be going to jail or prison which means less tax dollars being spent on people that are being incarcerated. Please consider this into law. Thank you for your consideration.
i understand that someone has made a mistake if they pay there debt to society they should have a 2nd chance
A marijuana possession charge in a small town landed me with a felony. Which is only a misdemeanor in 42 other states... come on.
please help us to pass this because i belive we should have a second chance
I am one of many people who have this problem ... I SHOULD NOT BE ON THIS WEBSITE. NOR SHOULD I HAVE TO TELL EVERY EMPLOYER THAT I ONCE DID DRUGS AND GOT ARRESTED FOR IT. (Still unemployed)

Below is the website that shows you who I am. Shows you that I was convicted of felonies that should not be haunting me. I accept my past. Why cant everyone else? When in all reality it is none of their business. I am open about it. I tell EVERY employer the first time I talk to them. I do this because I agree completely that a felon should do so.

BUT I SHOULD NO LONGER BE A FELON. YET AM FORCED TO STAY ONE DUE TO THE FACT THAT I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR A LAWYER.

DO NOT HAVE FUNDS TO PAY FOR LAWYER BECAUSE I CAN NOT GET JOB. CAN NOT GET JOB BECAUSE I HAVE A FELON...THAT I DO NOT DESERVE TO HAVE ON MY RECORD.

WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY RIGHTS?

CONVICTS ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE REPRESENTED REGARDLESS IF THEY HAVE THE FUNDS AVAILABLE OR NOT.

YET THAT SAME CONVICT AFTER HAVING COMPLETED HIS SENTENCE ... IS WORTH NOTHING NOW?

MAKES NO SENSE TO ME AT ALL

YOU WOULD THINK YOU WOULD WANT THE RECOVERED CONVICTS BETTERING THEMSELVES. SHOW THAT SOMEONE IS DOING SOMETHING HERE....BUT NOPE. WOULD RATHER MAKE A DOLLAR.

Already Sent Without all of the XXXXXXXXX's

Am not ashamed! Just do not want all these random people having access to something they should have never had access to in the first place. After i maxed out my rediculous felonies should have been taken off my record and i should have been taken off the NYS DOCS website. Was taken of the NYS Parole one. If New York State does not think i need to be "supervised" anymore, THEN WHY IS IT I HAVE TO INFORM PEOPLE OF THE BAD CHOICES I MADE? AND WHY IS THAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC?

THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE BAD CHOICES YOU HAVE MADE......

EXACTLY.....

http://nysdoccslookup.doccs.ny.gov/

Last Name: XXXXXXXX
First Name:XXXXXXXX
Middle Init: XXXXXXXX
Birth Year: XXXXXXXX
DIN: 09 - B - XXXX

OH...AND JUST IN CASE...HERE IS THE INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE THAT CHANCES ARE YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT LOOKING AT.


Identifying and Location Information
As of 02/01/12
DIN (Department Identification Number) 09BXXXX
Inmate Name XXXXXXXXXX
Sex MALE
Date of Birth XXXXXXX
Race / Ethnicity WHITE
Custody Status DISCHARGED
Housing Releasing Facility ELMIRA
Date Received (Original) 06/18/2009
Date Received (Current) 04/28/2011
Admission Type
County of Commitment XXXXXXX
Latest Release Date / Type (Released Inmates Only) 05/03/11 DISCH - MAXIMUM EXPIRATION
Crimes of Conviction
If all 4 crime fields contain data, there may be additional crimes not shown here. In this case, the crimes shown here are those with the longest sentences.
As of 02/01/12
Crime Class
CRIM POSS CONTR SUBSTANCE 5TH D
CRIM POSS MARIHUANA 3RD E


Sentence Terms and Release Dates
Under certain circumstances, an inmate may be released prior to
Federal Laws should be changed and allowed for expungement of Federal Criminal records. The only way to minimize your federal record is through Presidential Pardon. Secondly, if an individual has served their time it is ridiculous that an employer can ask about it unless specifically related to the job they are looking to do. The have you been convicted of a felony when you are applying for a secretarial position is ridiculous. We have people in office who evade taxes and every other matter of crime and they still collect a paycheck with my tax dollars.
i believe every one need a second chance,most people dont get caught weed should not destroy your life they sale it to its wrong for them to sale it than
Our justice system has already punished me. How is it fair that society is allowed to continue punishing me? What I did I did 8 years ago and I just want to be able to get a job and become a productive member of society. We are not as much of a minority as most people think, please help us. What is being done is destructive to society and just forces many of us back into crime because we have no other option to survive. I will not take that path but my life is on hold and cannot progress to anything of value.
I've applied to so many places and i get the same response NO because i have a criminal background the most recently one was home depot i passed their test but they won't hire me because of my background record so how are we supposed to change our lifes around and "what's the point of employer's having the question if you have a criminal record it doesn't disqualify you for a job" when it actually does
isnt that racism.can,t someone get a 2nd chance
The police state that we live in in America makes it completely impossible for anyone convicted of minor, non-violent crimes from seeking quality employment. So much for America being the land of freedoms.
I think everyone deserves a chance to live life normally in spite of there mistakes. If they've learned there lesson that "Crime doens't pay" and have moved on then so be it. Our constitution says we have the right to happiness, and the right to make money regardless of who you are. Let Freedom Ring!
Its not right when we have young people making non violent mistakes then being handed a felony wich is basicall a life sentence these young men and woman need resources and oppertunities immediatly upon release to not be back in the system
my fiance made $106,000 a year before his felony, now he can't even get a minimum wage.job
My cousin has a record, but has gone back to school and graduated with a pharmacy tech certification, but cannot get a job in Dallas, TX. Noone will give her a chance to prove that she can make a difference. Why keep someone from working a legitimit job. This forces many who think they don't have options back to a life of crime and dependency on the government or other family members. They can't pay the probation officers and run up bills only to find themselves right back at the starting line to the penal system.
Please take this matter seriously and act on it now for the US of America. Thank you.
Please look into this immediately. Do not take this lightly. Very serious matter right now in the US of America
i am a convicted felon but have beenstraight for ove 19 or 20 years now and have not had any doing with the law what so ever nor have i been re arrested for anything and i myself think its unfair to hang my past over me for the rest of my life this is the reson i can not get a good payin job and i to am tired of the dont forget dont forgive polacie of our gov ihave not been arrested for a fedral felony but any felony to me is the same
i am a convicted felon but have beenstraight for ove 19 or 20 years now and have not had any doing with the law what so ever nor have i been re arrested for anything and i myself think its unfair to hang my past over me for the rest of my life this is the reson i can not get a good payin job and i to am tired of the dont forget dont forgive polacie of our gov
AMERICA the home of the FREE???Please pass this bill punish the deed ,but not for LIFE !!!.
I share the common pain as many of the stories Ive read today.. Too many echoe the same sound of discrimination that continue to haunt and follow them from past transgressions and mistakes. In the midst of all the cries and voices I hear We as a ppl must remain strong and steadfast and eager to keep searching for change until change becomes reality for each of us. I overstand its part of "the process" to feel underappreciated and fatigued daily after trying to move forward. Most times going out on a job search feels much like we are on a incling treadmill. We must channel our energy in a positive manner to get what we want and need for our families because if we just continue to settle for mediocrity, go back to our old ways, or stop the fight for equality then we lose, they win, game over. DONT GIVE UP. NEVER QUIT SEARCHING! JUST IMAGINE YOURSELF AS WHO U WANT TO BE AND BECOME THAT!! IF THEY'RE NOT GIVING JOBS WE MUST CREATE THEM FOR PPL JUST LIKE US. Watch pursuit of Happyness will smith is great and inspiring based on a true story.
i am a felon and i need a job
I am a convicted Felon in PA and it has been 1 year so far and no one has given me a second chance.
My crime wouldn't be a Felony if in any of a number of other States but NY has the 2 DUI in 10 years = Felony - that was over 20+ years ago and upstanding since then, would like 2nd Amendment Rights restored and can not! Jobs have been a bear, I have multiple high-level degrees (obtained after the F conviction) and pay a big chunk of $ in taxes (due to income) - have had much difficulty passing background checks for employment & am not able to have my civil rights restored even though so much time has passed and am an upright citizen. I see this bill was introduced in 2002 and today, almost 2012 ten years has passed with no action by elected officials who go to Wash. with little $ and leave with millions. Not enough publicity on this bill as I only heard of it after searching to see what I can do to get my civil liberties restored.
I did my time and payed all the fines. I am in school now educating myself for a better life in the near feature. I'm 25yrs old no with 2 kids need to feed and take care of them, with no job its hard.
when i check on craigslist for security guard position in New York which states BE ADVISED NO FELONY CONVICTION!!!! i have two drug sales on my record do you think that is the worst part!! i came across a "FREE MASON" brought to my attention i plead guilty to a crime i did not even commit, he told me you know those federal reserved note in your wallet and said yes then he says it's not lawful money and i said what you got to be kidding me he said nope i will show proof lets go to law library my mouth drop to the floor!!!!!!!
i got locked up for possession of stolen thing and i had nothing to do with it my public defender black mailed me he told me if i didnt pled gulty he was gunna go ahead and have the judge lock me up for up to 25 years and i had nothing to do with the crime i was the oldest so i got charged i need my recored exponged and i cant cause i aint got enough for a lawyer
they need to stop locking people up for no-violent crime and t save money people could do communitty service for their crime or pay a stiff fine /depending on the crime this will help the debt out alot and create jobs also . non-violent offenders dont need probation officers its a waste of tax payers money.
In the first place, instead of complaining, LEARN HOW TO WRITE AND SPEAK FIRST. The lliteracy of the people complaining is beyond belief. Then, maybe the Legislature will listen and not laugh at you. Finish elementry school first
I made a mistake when i was 35 result of drinking and using drugs. Now i can not find a job to support my family or myself I have to live off the system
There are only 2 kinds of people in this world: those who have been caught, and those who have yet to be caught. Every ex-offender should have the opportunity to be considered for employment based upon individual circumstances; not rubber-stamped with "THE BIG F" and summarily tossed down the gutter.
There are only 2 kinds of people in this world: those who have been caught, and those who have yet to be caught. Every ex-offender should have the opportunity to be considered for employment based upon individual circumstances; not rubber-stamped with "THE BIG F" and summarily tossed down the gutter.
Im a convicted Felon. When I turned 18 I got in trouble for "mailbox baseball"(hitting a mailbox). I am now 23 and it has pretty much ruined my life.
I have a 6yr old felony drug charge, I was not hurting anyone but myself and held a job for 3.5 yrs until I was laid off. Now can't find ANY company willing to give me a chance with over 20 yrs of experience. Felony means NO JOB :(

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