Elected Officials Team Up To Give Offenders A Second Chance

Flyer for the Second Chance event being held on Saturday, Oct. 20. Photo courtesy of Queens County District Attorney’s Office.

By David Brand

Queens County District Attorney Richard A. Brown, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and other organizations are hoping to clear the warrants for dozens of residents on Saturday.

On a first come, first serve basis, New Yorkers across the city will get the opportunity for a “Second Chance” if they failed to appear in court for low-level summonses, permanently clean their record and receive complimentary legal assistance.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., everyone is welcome to stop by the Universal Church at 68-03 Roosevelt Avenue in Woodside to resolve their warrants. Low-level crimes including, but not limited to unlawful possession of marijuana, loitering, riding a bicycle on the sideway and drinking from an open container will get expunged.

Residents who have warrants that do not fall under the low-level category will not be arrested at this event. Those cases can include higher leveled misdemeanors, felonies, building or fire code violations, child support warrants and civil court summonses.

A valid form of identification must be produced. The current immigration status of an attendee will not affect your ability to receive legal assistance.