CORI Project (Greater Boston Legal Services)
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) started the CORI & Re-entry Project in 2008 in response to numerous requests for help with the devastating effects of criminal records.
Our walk-in sites for help at the Roxbury Court and Dorchester Court have stopped due to COVID, but will return in the future.
In the meantime, you can get help on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, 2pm to 4pm by ZOOM click here to register for a clinic. You can also email your name, address and phone number to cori@gbls.org or leave a message at 617-603-1797.
The Project updates the CORI part of the Masslegal website and produced self-help booklets on sealing of records. Click here to link to record sealing and other booklets.
DIRECT CLIENT SERVICES
The project represents individual clients and engages in systemic law reform advocacy. Cases accepted include:
Legal advice on CORI issues and representation of clients at criminal record sealing hearings. Click here to link to record sealing and other booklets.
Appeal of denials of criminal record and juvenile sealing petitions.
Fixing mistakes on CORI reports and problems with juvenile court youthful offender records being listed on adult CORI reports in violation of the law.
Denial of the right to seal all of one’s Boston Municipal Court (BMC) cases from all divisions of the BMC in a single division of the court under BMC Standing Order 1-09.
Cases where a judge ordered sealing or expungement, but the Commissioner of Probation will not seal or expunge the CORI as ordered.
Violations of the BAN the BOX law where a job application asked about criminal records.
People who were denied or may be denied a trade or professional license (barbers, driving for Uber or other transportation companies, real estate appraiser, etc.) by an agency because of their CORI especially where: (1) the application asks about arrests and/or non-convictions; or (2) the application does not warn people not to list sealed records.
Rejections for housing, training or education programs, jobs or other opportunities based on CORI.
Other CORI problems that arise.