Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Good Conduct: How to Apply

A participant's criminal background may bar them from many critical social services. The Certificate of Relief from Disabilities and Certificate of Good Conduct are designed to mitigate these collateral consequences.

1. Determine eligibility of participant. They are eligible if they have been convicted of a crime or of an offense, including any number of misdemeanor convictions, in-state, out-of-state or federal, but have not been convicted of more than one felony.

• A “felony” means a conviction of a felony in this state or of an offense in any other jurisdiction for which a sentence to a term of imprisonment in excess of one year, or a sentence of death, was authorized.

• Two or more convictions of felonies charged in separate counts of one indictment or information or two or more convictions of felonies charged in two or more indictments or information’s, filed in the same court prior to judgment under any of them, shall be considered only one conviction.

2. Assist Eligible Participants with Application

3. Effect of of Certificates

-Certificates of Relief lift most automatic forfeitures and disabilities, like felony disenfranchisement. Some are limited to particular disabilities or do not include particular disabilities. But DOCCS (Department of Correction and Community Supervision) or a court may issue a new CRD at any time expanding relief.

http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/service/1347/certificate-of-good-conduct-relief-or-disposition