Civil Survival Project

In the first half of 2025, Civil Survival provided legal representation in 833 cases. Our team waived over $15 million in LFOs and successfully vacated 193 convictions. We drafted and led three amicus briefs before Washington Supreme Court on issues including restitution, community service credit, and juvenile record sealing, and continued to offer accessible legal support, including 114 consultations through our Attorney Office Hours program. We also provided 117 criminal history reports to help individuals understand and navigate their records. Our team also launched the Reentry Resource program to assist legal clients with other reentry needs, helping clients overcome the challenges of reentry and build successful futures.

During the first half of 2025, Civil Survival advanced key legislative and community advocacy initiatives to expand opportunity and equity for people impacted by the criminal legal system. A major highlight was the passage of HB 1747, Civil Survivals bill expanding Fair Chance employment protections. The new law requires employers to delay criminal record inquiries until after a conditional offer and provide a legitimate business reason if an applicant is denied based on a conviction. In February, Civil Survival hosted Community Empowerment Week, bringing together over 160 participants and 15 partner organizations for legislative training, storytelling workshops, and more than 60 legislative meetings. Civil Survival continued its Unlocking Legislative Advocacy (ULA) program, graduating a new cohort of advocates prepared to lead reentry and policy change efforts in their communities and began planning for the 2025 cohort.