Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 14 resources
Government benefits for people with criminal charges or histories
Arrested? What Happens to Your Benefits if You Go To Jail or Prison?
(Separate Website)
A Guide to Federal Rules on SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare and Veterans Benefits for Adults with Disabilities
By: Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
What Do I Do If DSHS Stops My Benefits Because I'm a "Fleeing Felon"
If you are a fleeing felon, you are not eligible for many federal and state public benefits. This publication defines "feeling felon" and discusses the benefits that are affected.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
What Do I Do If Social Security Stops my Benefits Because I am a "Fleeing Felon"?
The Social Security Administration lists three types of fleeing felons: (1) felony charges with an outstanding warrant; (2) felony conviction with an outstanding warrant, or (3) a violation of probation or parole, regardless of whether the underlying crime was a felony. This publication discusses each of these.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
What Do I Do If the Veterans Administration Stops My Benefits Because I Am a "Fugitive Felon"?
The Veterans Administration bars three types of felons from receiving VA benefits. The types are, (1) felony charges with an outstanding warrant; (2) felony conviction with an outstanding warrant, or (3) a violation of probation or parole when the underlying crime was a felony. This publication discusses each of these.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Legal financial obligations / Restitution-reduction or Waiver of Interest
Interest Waiver Guide: A Guide on How to Obtain a Court Order Waiving or Reducing Interest on Legal Financial Obligations This brochure provides information and forms on how to obtain a court order waiving or reducing interest on legal financial obligations (LFOs) in Washington State. Defined by statute RCW 10.82.090, the court may, on motion by the offender, reduce or waive the interest on legal financial obligations ordered as a result of a criminal conviction.
By: American Civil Liberties Union of Washington Foundation
Other Formats:
DOCX File
Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs): Understanding How LFOs Work The purpose of this guide is to help educate people
about Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs) and how they work. LFOs include fees, fines, and restitution orders that are assessed by judges at the time of
criminal conviction.
By: Seattle University School of Law Access to Justice Institute
Help for Crime Victims
(Separate Website)
Information on the Crime Victims Compensation Program, resources and forms.
By: Department L & I
Public Defender Offices in Washington
(Separate Website)
Link to a listing of Public Defender Offices around the state.
By: Washington Defender Association
Voting Rights Restoration in Washington State
(Separate Website)
The Washington legislature recently passed
a law that automatically restores the right
to vote to individuals convicted of felonies
when they have completed their time in prison and have served any required community custody supervised by the State Department of Corrections. This law took effect on July 26, 2009.
By: ACLU
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Frequently Asked Questions about Institutionalized Persons' Rights
(Separate Website)
Frequently asked questions and answers about institutionalized persons rights, filing complaints, and the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act.
By: U.S. Department of Justice - Civil Rights Division
Prisoner's Rights - ACLU Position Paper
(Separate Website)
General information about prisoner's rights and The Prison Litigation Reform Act.
By: American Civil Liberties Union
Can I Clear My Criminal Record?
(Separate Website)
If you have been charged with criminal violations in the past, the record of those charges may affect your ability to get work, housing, public benefits, financial aid for education, to drive or to enjoy other rights or privileges, such as voting. This memo will help you understand what rights and options you have and what procedures you must use to clear or limit access to your criminal record by others.
By: Legal Voice
Criminal History/Records: When and How to Vacate Non-Violent Class B or C Felony Convictions 9910EN - This publication provides information and forms on how to vacate records concerning certain non-violent Class B or C felony convictions in Washington State occurring on/after July 1, 1984. Download the pdf file to use the forms.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Sealing Juvenile Court Records in Washington State In Washington, juvenile court records do not automatically disappear when you turn 18. In fact, almost all your juvenile records remain open for the public to view unless you ask a court to "seal" them. You must meet certain requirements to be eligible to have your record sealed. Eligibility depends on a number of factors, including the seriousness of the juvenile offense, the amount of time that has passed since your most recent
conviction, and the existence of any pending criminal matters.
By: Street Youth Legal Advocates of Washington
Other Formats:
Word File
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Information, Not Legal Advice. We are providing this information as a public service. We try to make it accurate as of the date noted in the materials. Sometimes the laws change. We cannot promise that this information is always up-to-date and correct. Most of the information provided on this web site is specific to Washington State law.
We do not intend this information to be legal advice. By providing this information, we are not acting as your lawyer. If you need legal advice, you should contact a lawyer through your local legal aid organization. Always talk to a competent lawyer, if you can, before taking legal action.
Permission for copying and distribution granted to the Alliance for Equal Justice and individuals for non-commercial use only.
Lawyer Advertising. This web site is not intended to be advertising or solicitation. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based on advertisements. Before hiring an attorney, you should investigate his or her reputation and qualifications.
Links. Some of the items listed here have not been prepared by us, but are instead "links" to information prepared and posted by others. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information posted on other sites. The links are not intended to imply that we sponsor or are affiliated or associated with the persons who created those sites, nor are the links intended to imply that we are legally authorized to use any trade name, registered trademark, logo, legal or official seal, or copyrighted symbol that may be reflected in the links.
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Washington LawHelp is provided as a public service by the Northwest Justice Project in collaboration with other legal aid providers in the Alliance for Equal Justice and Washington courts.
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