MLRI: CORI Basics: Criminal Record Sealing, Expungement & Related Issues: Basic Public Benefits Advocacy Trainings

This seminar provides an overview of criminal offender record information (CORI) laws as related to employment, housing, and other collateral consequences. Topics include, but are not limited to: how to seal and expunge criminal and juvenile records; how to get and correct CORI reports; chapter 151B anti-discrimination provisions that apply to job interviews and job applications; tenant protections related to use of criminal records by landlords and housing authorities; varied legal protections depending on the type of record sealed; when to expunge versus a seal a record; appeals of denials of requests for sealing or expungement; new caselaw by the SJC on expungement of records; and new or pending legislation on CORI. Massachusetts keeps CORI on every individual who has a criminal case in a Massachusetts state court. CORI is recorded and kept on file even if the underlying case is ultimately dismissed or the accused is found not guilty. CORI is available to police, and also used in screening processes by employers, landlords, government agencies, and others. Clients with criminal records face barriers to employment, housing, benefits and opportunities for economic stability. This training is for legal services advocates, lawyers in private practice, social and health services workers, and community activists who want to learn about the law or get a refresher course on the basics of CORI.