In 2011, Tyrone, a 48-year-old senior maintenance supervisor at a hospital in the Bronx, set about finalizing his application to receive a real estate license. He had already passed the test and lined up an established broker to sponsor himnow all he needed to do was obtain a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities (COR) for a non-violent drug felony from 1989.
It shouldn’t have been a big deal. Over the last 20 years, Tyrone had completed a drug treatment program, established an impressive employment history (he often worked two jobs simultaneously), bought a house and gotten married. Clearly, this was a rehabilitated man. But getting a COR turned out to be much more difficult than Tyrone anticipated. His first request to the court was denied, and it was only with the help of the Bronx Defenders that he eventually got his COR. He is now an established real estate broker who is much better equipped to support his eight children and five grandchildren.
