Legal help: records, rights & wrongful convictions
Clearing a record can open up jobs, housing and licenses that a conviction blocks. Many states now let you seal or expunge old convictions, and some do it automatically.
Free legal aid mostly covers civil problems — record sealing, housing, benefits, family law. If you're facing new criminal charges and can't afford a lawyer, ask the court for a public defender. If someone was convicted of a crime they didn't commit, innocence organizations may take the case for free.
Where to start
- 1
Get a copy of your criminal record so you know exactly what's on it.
- 2
Look up your state's record-sealing or expungement rules, or use a free legal aid office to check if you qualify.
- 3
Check whether your voting rights are already restored — in many states they come back automatically.
- 4
For a wrongful conviction, contact the innocence organization that covers your state. Each has its own rules about which cases it takes.
Free & low-cost lawyers
Legal Services Corporation: find legal aid
FreeFind the federally funded legal aid office near you. They help people with low incomes on civil problems like housing, benefits and record sealing.
lsc.gov ↗
LawHelp.org
FreeFree legal information and a directory of legal aid programs, organized by state.
lawhelp.org ↗
ABA Free Legal Answers
Free, onlineAsk a volunteer lawyer a civil legal question online, free, if you qualify by income.
abafreelegalanswers.org ↗
Clearing a record & restoring rights
The Clean Slate Initiative
Record clearingTracks the states that automatically clear eligible records, and what each state's law covers.
cleanslateinitiative.org ↗
Restore Your Vote
Voting rightsCheck whether you can vote in your state after a felony conviction, and how to register.
restoreyourvote.org ↗
Office of the Pardon Attorney (U.S. DOJ)
Federal pardonsHow to apply for a presidential pardon or commutation for a federal conviction.
justice.gov ↗
Wrongful convictions
Innocence Project
FreeWorks to free people who were wrongly convicted, especially where DNA evidence can prove innocence.
innocenceproject.org ↗
Innocence Network directory
Find your stateA directory of innocence organizations across the country. Find the one that takes cases from your state.
innocencenetwork.org ↗
Centurion
FreeInvestigates and works to free innocent people serving life or death sentences, including cases without DNA evidence.
centurion.org ↗
National Registry of Exonerations
ResearchA database of every known U.S. exoneration since 1989, with the story behind each case.
exonerationregistry.org ↗
Rights inside & sentencing reform
Equal Justice Initiative
AdvocacyRepresents people who were wrongly convicted, unfairly sentenced or abused in prison.
eji.org ↗
FAMM
AdvocacyAdvocates for fair sentencing and clemency, and supports families of people serving long sentences.
famm.org ↗
ACLU: prisoners' rights
Know your rightsInformation on the rights people keep while incarcerated, from health care to conditions of confinement.
aclu.org ↗
Common questions
How can a felon get a free lawyer?+
For new criminal charges, ask the court to appoint a public defender if you can't afford a lawyer. For civil problems — sealing a record, housing, benefits, family court — contact your local legal aid office (Legal Services Corporation or LawHelp.org can find it). Innocence organizations handle wrongful-conviction cases for free.
What's the difference between sealing and expunging a record?+
It depends on the state. Generally, a sealed record is hidden from most employers and landlords but still exists, while an expunged record is erased or treated as if it never happened. Your state's legal aid office can tell you which applies to you.
Can felons vote?+
In most states, yes — at least after completing their sentence, and in many states as soon as they leave prison. The rules vary widely, so check your state with Restore Your Vote.
How does the Innocence Project choose cases?+
The national Innocence Project focuses on cases where DNA testing can prove innocence. Other innocence organizations — listed in the Innocence Network directory — take different kinds of cases in their own states or regions.
Keep going
PenPalsOnly isn't affiliated with these organizations and doesn't give legal advice. Programs and rules change — confirm details with each organization directly.