Trenton Barbershop helps Community members clear criminal records – nj.com

When William Hackett was asked to host a free event in his barber in Trenton to help ex -offenders receive their criminal records, he jumped in the opportunity to help.

“We thank us for being a ship for everything positive for others,” said Hackett, who opened the razor barber shop in 2001. “

On Wednesday, Hacket hosts the Fresh Start: Expunglement Clinic event at Razor Sharp, 20 Passaic St., with Stono Public Deals, based on a Trenton lobbying company and the New Jersey office of the public defender.

About 24 people pre -registered for the event, James Guy, the founder of the cracked, said, but over 75 appeared for help with leakage and pardon applications.

Gi, who trims her hair at Razor Sharp, suggested that the event be held there to encourage people with various environments.

“Many people have not registered before. They just planned to appear.,said Gi from Trenton, whose company helped to advertise and register people for the event. “We had one person to come from Cleveland, who received a fee in New Jersey and then had to return here to get a leak.”

The cost allows the removal or sealing of criminal records in a court file, detention or correctional establishment for certain categories of crimes, removing a barrier to employment for former offenders.

New Jersey defender Jennifer Seliti attended the event on Wednesday with five other lawyers from her office – Kimberly Schultz, Alison Perone, Michele Friedman, Steve Gallakher and Stephen Hunter – and Para Legali Huilana Kenon and Tourston.

She noted that the criminal record does not determine a person, but the fact that he throws it away or pardoned him could have a positive impact on their lives.

“(They will be able to continue their lives, find the work they are looking for, get the services they are looking for, or the license they need to improve their lives,” she said.

Seliti said that some people cannot be recorded because some categories of crimes, including criminal killings, sexual crimes, robbery and arson, do not meet the expiration conditions.

However, she said that some persons may be entitled to pardon or enforcement order, forgiving a person for a crime and freeing them from some consequences of the sentence.

“It gives people more than once to clear some things that hold them,” Seli said.

During the event on Wednesday, they stated that volunteers for America, based on a non -profit faith, which provides social services provided a minibus that serves as a mobile legal clinic where attendees talked to the lawyer’s lawyers.

The lawyers “used (van) to interview people for their origin and what they were accused of to see if they were eligible to expire,” he said. “Then, if they are ranked, a lawyer submitted the documents to request expiration.”

Seliti said the work was done.

“It was so wonderful to be out in the community not only to help people with this process, but it is a fun part of our work,” she said.

While helping applications for the leakage process, Seliti said that her people told her about their lives and how their criminal files had affected them.

“It stops them potentially getting a job or getting their license,” Seliti said. “So, so that they can sit with people, to tell them that they qualify, process this documentation and simply see the appearance of the joy of their faces when they know that it will no longer follow them around, it is just Great. “

Hackett was also pleased. After opening the store, he said he continued to find ways to return to the community through initiatives, such as providing free hairstyles to return to school and school aids to children.

Asked if he would allow another event to leak in his business, Hackett replied that he would do so.

“We are the Barberrion -based community and we give God all the glory,” he said. “So … absolutely, we are here and we are grateful that this event managed to happen here.”

To apply for expiration, visit the New Jersey Courts Website or send an email to [email protected]. For more information on the pardon and/or how to apply, visit the State Kumina page or send an email to [email protected].