New Website: Collateral Consequences Resource Center

The Collateral Consequences Resource Center was launched November 18, 2014. Its "purpose is to fill a growing need for information and advice about the modern phenomenon of mass conviction and the second-class citizenship it perpetuates," according to the press release. Another goal "is to foster public discussion and disseminate information about what has been called the 'secret sentence.'” The website will be a source for news and commentary about developments in courts and legislatures, resources for practice and advocacy, and information about getting relief from collateral consequences in various jurisdictions.It intends to reach a broad audience, and is soliciting submissions and tips about developments and proposals for blog entries. The Center’s goal is to foster public discussion and disseminate information about what has been called the “secret sentence.” Through its website the Center will provide news and commentary about developments in courts and legislatures, gather practice and advocacy resources, and provide information about how to obtain relief from collateral consequences in various jurisdictions. The Center aims to reach a broad audience of lawyers and other criminal justice practitioners, judges, scholars, researchers, policymakers, legislators, as well as those most directly affected by the consequences of conviction. It invites tips about relevant current developments, as well as proposals for blog posts on topics related to collateral consequences and criminal records. For more information, visit the Collateral Consequences Resource Center.