The Consequences of Criminal Charges: A People's Guide This manual provides basic information about some of the many consequences of criminal charges,
arrest, and incarceration in New York State. You will find information and materials geared towards helping you understand these consequences and strategies for preventing or overcoming them. Subtopics covered include: Encounters With the Police, Civic Participation (including voting rights and jury service), Employment, Family, Public Benefits, Student Loans, Financial Impact, Housing, Immigration, Criminal Records, and Certificates of Rehabilitation.
By: Bronx Defenders and Reentry.net/NY
Collateral Consequences Calculator
(Separate Website)
A calculator designed as an aid to legal research for judges, attorneys and legal academics. It can provide a preliminary overview of the collateral consequences associated with sections of the New York State Penal Law, and can be used as a way of seeing the big picture and beginning the process of determining the varied consequences of criminal charges.
By: Columbia Law School
Back to School: A Guide to Continuing Your Education after Prison
(Separate Website)
This guide walks individuals through the process of setting educational goals and getting organized; enrolling in programs that best suits her/his needs; and receiving assistance to pay for college. The guide also contains a directory of people and agencies that can provide individuals with more information and support on the process.
By: The Prisoner Reentry Institute at John Jay College
Reentry Readiness Manual
(Separate Website)
This manual ask ten questions that help determine if an individual is adequately prepared for a successful community reentry and provides guidance on how to be better prepared.
By: Center for Behavioral Services and Criminal Justice Research at Rutgers University
Social Security Benefits and Incarceration
(Separate Website)
Information on what happens when someone who is receiving Social Security benefits goes to jail.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
What Prisoners Should Know About Social Security
(Separate Website)
Explains how prisoners who are about to be released can get back on benefits if they received benefits before incarceration, and how they can apply if they are seeking benefits for the first time.
By: Social Security Administration
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Spanish / Español
Spotlight on Pre-release Procedures
(Separate Website)
Describes the procedures for planning in advance of release from any institutional situation (hospital, jail, etc.) so that an individual who is likely to be eligible for SSI because of age, disability or blindness has benefits available on or close to his or her release date.
By: Social Security Administration
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Spanish / Español
Fleeing Felon Disqualification For SSI
This fact sheet explains the fleeing felon rules, which disqualifies someone from receiving SSI benefits in certain cases.
By: Legal Services NYC - Legal Support Unit
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French / Français
Incarcerated Veterans
(Separate Website)
VA can pay certain benefits to veterans who are incarcerated in a Federal, state, or local penal institution. However, the amount we can pay depends on the type of benefit and reason for incarceration
By: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
VA Health Care Fact Sheet - Fugitive Felon Program
(Separate Website)
Explains what a Fugitive Felon is and how it affects your Veterans Benefits. It also explains how to correct Fugitive Felon status.
By: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
How to Obtain Important Documents
(Separate Website)
This guide tells you how to apply for and obtain important documents, including driver's licenses, non-driver I.D. cards, social security cards, birth certificates, voter registration, naturalization cards and passports. These documents are important because they are often needed to obtain employment, housing, public assistance, etc.
By: Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)
How to Apply for a Birth Certificate in New York City If you were born in NYC this booklet provides info on how to obtain a copy of your New York City birth certificate.
By: The Door - A Center of Alternatives
Obtaining a Drivers License in New York State
(Separate Website)
Fact sheet on how to apply for a driver's license in New York State.
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Services and support available to former inmates and their families
Coming home: A Family's Guide to Reunification (Separate Website)
If your family member will soon be released from prison the New York State Department of Correctional Services and the Division of Parole developed a checklist of items that are important for you to review prior to the time that your family member returns home.
By: NYS Division of Parole
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Connections 2012 and the Job Search
(Separate Website)
This guide is for formerly incarcerated people to learn the various steps involved in hunting for work. It discusses job interviewing and resume writing, preparation in prison, avoiding job discrimination as a formerly incarcerated individual, and telling the truth about your conviction(s) on a job application. It also lists many helpful organizations that can help with all kinds of problems.
By: The New York Public Library
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
If you do not speak English and go to a New York City agency you are entitled to free language assistance. Learn more about what services you are entitled to and the New York City agencies that must provide them.
By: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
Italian / italiano
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
Video: How to Work with Interpreters
(Separate Website)
In this video, you will learn some basic tips that will allow you to communicate effectively and easily through an interpreter with a person who doesn't speak your language.
By: Legal Services of New Jersey
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Financial Consequences of Conviction Chart This chart provides a summary of the financial consequences that people who are convicted of crimes may face as a result of that conviction. Some convictions have fines, fees and surcharges. Sometimes restitution is ordered. If these debts are not paid, they can get bigger, become difficult to pay off, and affect a person's credit report. This chart contains information about the range of fines, fees and surcharges allowed by law as well as ways to have the amount reduced or waived. It also includes information regarding the consequences of non-payment of restitution and child support.
By: The Feerick Center for Social Justice at Fordham Law School
English-Spanish Glossary of Legal Terms & Phrases
(Separate Website)
**PLEASE NOTE**
For general information about government benefits such as public assistance, Food Stamps, Social Security Disability and SSI, go to http://www.lawhelp.org/NY and click on the Public Benefits topic.
By: LawHelp
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
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