OJPC’s attorneys recognize the power of redemption and the urgent need for second chances. Kaleigh Shupp, staff attorney for the Second Chance Project, has dedicated her career to helping people move beyond their past through record sealing, expungement, and pardon applications. Every day, she works with clients seeking relief, many of whom have spent years, or even decades held back by the weight of the legal record. “The barriers don’t disappear when someone finishes their sentence,” she explained. “Collateral sanctions impact every part of a person’s life- employment, housing, and education. It can feel impossible to move forward.”
When relief is granted, the impact is life changing. Kaleigh recalled a client from last fall who came through OJPC’s Pardon Project. Kaleigh realized that this client would qualify for expungement. After years of waiting, expungement was finally granted. “The look on her face, the relief I felt coming off of her—it was incredible. She deserved to have peace of mind.” Moments like this make the work worth it, but not everyone gets the outcome they hope for. “One of the hardest parts of my job is telling someone they’re not eligible for the relief they so desperately need,” she admitted. The system remains complex and often unforgiving.
Shame and fear prevent many people from even seeking help, but OJPC is working to change that. “No one should be ashamed of their past. We’re here to help you move past the worst day of your life.” The fight for second chances goes beyond legal services—it’s about restoring dignity, breaking down barriers, and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to rebuild their future.