Mission Statement

The collateral consequences of criminal prosecutions are growing in number, scope and duration. These consequences are frequently hidden, making it extremely difficult for judges, practitioners and the public they serve to fully appreciate what lies ahead.

Our mission is to create an online collaborative forum where judges, lawyers and scholars can learn more about collateral consequences.  Here, you will find high-quality content managed by experts in the major areas of New York law where collateral consequences occur. By sharing information and expertise, we seek to educate ourselves and facilitate the making of fully informed choices.

Recent News

• 3.11.08 - Second Chance Act is passed in the Senate and sent to White House for signature of the President. -- Click here to read more.  Update: The Act was signed into law on 4.9.08.

• 2.29.08 - New York Times Article: U.S. Imprisons One in 100 Adults, Report Finds - In light of the costs associated with the growing level of incarceration, the Pew Center on the States recommends “diverting nonviolent offenders away from prison and using punishments short of reincarceration for minor or technical violations of probation or parole. It also urged states to consider earlier release of some prisoners.” -- Click here to read more 

• 2.22.08 - New York Law Journal Article: A Watertown City Judge has ruled that a court has a duty to ensure that defendants who plead guilty to violations have a “full understanding” that their conviction history might be available to the public. -- Click here to read more ; Click here to read the opinion

• 11.30.07 - Washington Post Article: CDC report concludes that youths who are tried as adults and housed in adult prisons experience higher rates of recidivism and commit more violent crimes than do minors who remain in the juvenile justice system.  -- Click here to read more

• 11.23.07 - New York Times Feature: Description of the effects of high incarceration rates among particularly troubled neighborhoods.   -- Click here to read more

• 11.13.07 - H.R.:1593 Second Chance Act of 2007 - the Second Chance Act reauthorizes the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, and improves reentry planning and implementation.  This bill passed in the House of Representatives by roll call vote on November 13, 2007.  -- Click here to read more 

• 1.1.07 - Run-On Sentences - ABA, others focus on easing the added punishments for those convicted of crimes: "At the 2003 ABA annual meeting, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy gave an influential speech that questioned the effectiveness of sentencing policies and prisons in the United States.  Soon afterward, then-ABA President Dennis W. Archer of Detroit formed the Justice Kennedy Commission to study issues relating to prisons and sentencing. In 2004, the House of Delegates approved a recommendation by the commission that called for procedures that would allow offenders who have served sentences to request restoration of their legal rights and relief from other collateral consequences." -- Click here to read more

• Click here to read News Archive