Lawyer opens up about his criminal past as a heroin dealer
Manhattan criminal defense lawyer Allan Haber wants to deliver a message of hope to criminals who think their record makes it impossible for them to succeed.
Haber, 75, was once a heroin dealer who has 10 convictions on his record, including three drug-related felonies, the New York Times reports. Haber has not disclosed his criminal past to judges and prosecutors, though he did reveal it to bar admissions officials and to New York University, which accepted him as an undergrad and a law student.
Haber tells the Times he’s talking about his background now because he wants clients to learn that they can make something of their lives despite their mistakes.
The Times says Haber had “a tumultuous childhood” where he lived in a succession of foster homes and joined an Irish youth gang. When imprisoned at Rikers Island for stealing a pair of pants, Haber tried heroin and later became addicted. He stole to support his habit and eventually began selling heroin. Prison became a revolving door for Haber.
Haber identifies two people who helped him: a former city correction official who urged Haber to change his life, and a lawyer who tutored Haber while he was on parole. The lawyer, Emily Jane Goodman, told Haber he would make a good lawyer, and he followed that advice. Haber and Goodman—who later became a judge—fell in love and got married in 1983. Haber earned his law degree the next year.
Though Haber and Goodman divorced in the mid-1990s, Haber credits her for motivating him. “She said, Nothing is impossible,’ ” Haber recalled.
