For Dashiel Carillo, rebuilding her life has always been about more than herself. It’s about the future she wants for her children.
In her 20s, while in an abusive relationship, Dashiel became involved in a criminal case that led to a prison sentence. When she came home, she was determined to move forward.
Dashiel regained custody of her children, found steady work, and purchased a home. She built stability for herself and her family. But years later, her criminal record remained a barrier to what she wanted to build next. Dashiel hopes to become a real estate agent, a career that would allow her to work from home, earn a living, and support her family.
When she learned she might be eligible to have her record sealed, she knew she had to try. Her 13-year-old daughter joined her at the courthouse for the hearing.
“I wanted to show her what making a mistake looks like, taking accountability for that mistake, and changing everything about yourself to walk a different path,” Dashiel said.
Dashiel already knew what it was like to navigate the legal system on her own. While incarcerated, she had handled her own divorce and custody case without an attorney. Seeking to have her record sealed was different. With support from Colorado Legal Services, Dashiel had someone to help guide her through the process.
At the hearing, she received support from an unexpected person, too: the prosecutor who had originally charged her showed up, unasked, to support her petition. With Deb Kalb, a pro bono volunteer with Colorado Legal Services, standing by her side, Dashiel successfully had her record sealed.
“If I had to do it alone, I don’t know that I would have done it,” she said.
For Dashiel, having an advocate meant more than successfully navigating one legal process. It meant another barrier between her and the future she has worked so hard to build was finally gone. Now, she’s looking ahead.
Dashiel hopes to become a real estate agent and continue building a future for her family, even as she undergoes weekly treatment for blood cancer. And she chose to share her story because she wants other people to know that their past does not have to determine what comes next.
“I’ll fight for my kids forever. I wanted to say ‘just forget it’ many times. But I was like, no, I need to do this for my kids so they have that example.”
Across Colorado, our neighbors face legal problems that can stand between them and their homes, families, livelihoods, and futures. Legal aid gives people an advocate when they need one most.
Your gift to the Legal Aid Foundation helps Colorado Legal Services provide that advocacy. It helps our neighbors overcome legal barriers, move forward, and build what comes next.