Restoration of rights – National resources

This page contains national restoration of rights materials; state-specific resources on restoration of rights are available here.


Restoration of Rights Project

Summarizes rights restoration mechanisms in each U.S. jurisdiction, including pardon, judicial expungement and certificates, and systemic relief provisions.  From the Collateral Consequences Resource Center, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Legal Aid and Defender Association & the National HIRE Network

Compilation of Federal Collateral Consequences

Up-to-date interactive database of collateral consequences imposed by federal statutes and regulations, and associated relief mechanisms. Prepared by the Collateral Consequences Resource Center

National Clean Slate Clearinghouse – state and national guides

Information about record-clearing laws and rules in the various states, including court forms and practice guides. Prepared by the National Clean Slate Clearinghouse of the Council of State Governments.  

National HIRE Network Criminal Records Information Clearinghouse

Information about governmental agencies and community-based organizations that assist people with criminal records, practitioners, researchers, and policy makers. 

The Papillon Foundation

State-by-state guide to sealing, expungement, and other relief

Pardon 411

State-by-state pardon information from the Foundation for Continuing Justice

Future Interrupted: The Collateral Damage Caused by Proliferation of Juvenile Records (2014)

2014 report on expungement and confidentiality, including state-by-state scorecard,  from the Juvenile Law Center.