Newark Reentry Legal Services (ReLeSe) Network
What is the ReLeSe Network?
The ReLeSe Network is a pilot project designed to help formerly incarcerated individuals address civil legal matters that are barriers to successful community reintegration. Organized through a collaboration among Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s Office, Seton Hall and Rutgers Law Schools, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, Legal Services of New Jersey, Essex-Newark Legal Services, the Newark Alliance, and the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, ReLeSe matches clients with volunteer attorneys to handle issues most commonly encountered by recently incarcerated individuals but not handled by existing legal services programs. Referrals to the program are made by local service providers that work with the reentry population (the New Careers Project, Opportunity Reconnect, Goodwill Industries, Prodigal Sons and Daughters, American Friends Service Committee, Offender’s Aid and Restoration) as well as by Newark City Hall and the Newark Municipal Court. All assistance is provided free of charge.
Who is eligible for the ReLeSe Network?
Any Newark (or Essex County) resident who has been incarcerated in jail or prison is eligible for ReLeSe assistance. Individuals qualify regardless of how much time has passed since their release.
ReLeSe will match volunteer attorneys with ex-offenders to address the following legal barriers to their successful reentry:
· Suspended driver’s license (including court fines and surcharges)
· Municipal court issues
· Child support issues
· Errors on criminal record
· Employment licensing and other employment legal issues
· Expungement (see ExpungementEligibility.doc)
Clients facing other legal issues (e.g. bankruptcy, divorce, landlord/tenant disputes) will be referred to a ReLeSe volunteer who specializes in that area of law, if available, or to a local legal services organization that handles such matters.
ReLeSe DOES NOT handle criminal matters. Quasi-criminal matters such as parole board hearings are considered on a case-by-case basis and per attorney availability. Because all services are provided by volunteers, ReLeSe cannot guarantee that all applicants will receive services, but every effort will be made to assist eligible applicants.
How to apply for assistance from the ReLeSe Network:
To apply for ReLeSe assistance, fill out the attached intake form and fax it to (973) 645-1954. If you have any questions about the program, including questions about eligibility, please contact Linda Torres, ReLeSe Network Coordinator, (973) 645-0022 or NewarkReLeSe@yahoo.com.