What is a Certificate of Redemption and is it difficult to acquire?

Question

In my case, a relative was arrested and convicted even though she had a mental illness. She served time, albeit in a mental health ward. Now she is having a hard time finding a job.

Answer 1

I am sorry to be the one to tell you - but it is going to be very hard to get.

Even though it is on the books in most states, very few people actually are able to get one - the biggest problem is that no one knows what it is, or who can certify it. I would start by asking your state/county probation/parole office...at the management level.

If that doesn't work - you could always try to create one - find out what the local law says it contains, have a lawyer write it up and then try to get a judge to sign it. Of course you will have to have lots of proof of redemption, and it would not hurt to have an attorney present it to the judge, to explain the law.

A word of caution - do NOT take the word of local employment counselors about what the laws are in your state - often time they have not actually looked it up and are going by what someone else has told them. I run into that all the time here with my clients.

The link below will help you do the research you need to find out what the law says where your relative works. NOTE: the laws apply where the employee works - or the location of the office they work out of if they do field work.