Screening of documentary short film ‘Pardon Me’ planned
The Washington County Bar Association, Rotary Club of Washington and Summit Legal Aid will host a screening of the new documentary short film, “Pardon Me,” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Washington & Jefferson College’s Howard J. Burnett Center.
The 30-minute film, which explains the pardon system and tells the stories of two people in it, will be followed by a panel discussion, including the filmmaker Shuja Moore, who has a past criminal record; two members of the community who have reformed their lives and received pardons, and representatives of the Pardon Project of Washington County.
The other panelists will be past pardon recipients Joey Pagano, a leader and supervisor in drug and alcohol and mental health treatment who recently published the book, “No Addict Left Behind,” and Danielle Markham, who is getting a master’s degree in counseling and psychotherapy while working in therapeutic services.
Brian Gorman, executive director of Summit Legal Aid, formerly Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid, said, “One in 3 Americans has been arrested for a misdemeanor or felony in his or her life, and many of us have a criminal conviction based on a lapse of judgment or a problem in our life that we have overcome, and that does not reflect who we are now. Those of us who have changed for the better deserve our support to clean their slate, build a better life, and contribute to the community.”
In Pennsylvania, someone who has committed a crime can only become eligible for a pardon after they have fully completed their sentence and then spent years following the law. But until they receive a pardon, past offenses are used to deny jobs, promotions, licenses, education, housing, and many other opportunities.
Doors open at 5 p.m., and refreshments will be provided. For more information about the film, the filmmaker, and the goals for the film, visit www.pardonsnow.org.
The program is free and open to the public. As seating is limited, pre-registration is requested. The program has been accredited for 1.5 substantive Continuing Legal Education credits through the Washington County Bar Association at an additional fee. Attorneys and the public should register at www.washcobar.org.