PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate Release
Contact: Caitlin Merrill, Director of Media Relations cmerrill@tullylegal.com
518.218.7100 (Office) 

Pro-Bono Program Hopes to Give People a New Beginning “Project Second Chance” will clear minor criminal convictions from records

November 20, 2007 – Albany, NY – As the holiday season begins, Tully Rinckey, PLLC is pleased to announce the launch of a pro-bono initiative which reaches out to the Capital Region. The program, called “Project Second Chance,” will assist members of the community who have made a substantial effort to better themselves and their surroundings.

Through the program, the firm will complete the process necessary to obtain a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities for five select people who have turned their lives around. Eligible candidates will have only one minor criminal conviction on their record dating back ten years or more. Only those with non-violent convictions will be considered for the program.

“Clearly, we do not condone criminal acts. However, sometimes people make mistakes. We are looking for the type of people who have realized their prior actions were wrong and have reacted in positive ways,” said Thomas Carr, an attorney in the firm’s criminal practice. “We believe these people deserve an opportunity to have the consequences of the act removed from their record in return for bettering themselves and the community.”

If granted by the Parole Board, a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities restores most of the rights that are lost due to a conviction. These rights will assist in finding a job, particularly in civil services, or obtaining certain licenses. The Certificate does not restore the right to hold public office, nor does it erase the conviction.

The firm is looking to the public for eligible candidates for the project.

“We hope that people who think they can benefit from the certificate will contact our firm,” said Carr. “We will process all the paperwork and handle the entire process. All they need to do is give us a call.”

 The chosen candidates will be announced in the upcoming months. For more information about “Project Second Chance,” please contact Caitlin Merrill at 518-218-7100 or via email at cmerrill@tullylegal.com.

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Tully Rinckey, PLLC is one of the fastest growing full-service law firms and is dedicated to providing quality legal representation and customer service to individuals, families and businesses throughout New York’s Capital and Hudson Valley Regions. The team of attorneys, paralegals, and professionals helps clients in a wide range of practice areas. The firm maintains a website, www.tullylegal.com, with additional information about its attorneys, achievements, and news stories involving the firm’s work.