FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2018
CONTACT: Natalie Silver
Community Outreach and Policy Coordinator
802 595 8679
AG, LEGAL AID AND CHITTENDEN COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY HOST EXPUNGEMENT CLINIC
MONTPELIER– Attorney General T.J. Donovan and members of the Attorney General’s Office will co-host an expungement clinic with Vermont Legal Aid and the Chittenden County State’s Attorneys Office this Friday December 14th, in Winooski. This is the first in a series of expungement clinics that Attorney General Donovan and Vermont Legal Aid will host around the state.
Expungements erase an individual’s criminal record after they have lived without further criminal involvement for a period of time. Most misdemeanors and some felonies are eligible for expungement. As of July 1, 2018, all dismissed charges are eligible for expungement. Attorney General Donovan has been an outspoken advocate to lower barriers to expungement by decreasing the fees necessary to file a petition for expungement with the courts.
“Expungement is a vital tool for increasing access to jobs and economic opportunity,” Attorney General Donovan said. “Expunging people’s old criminal records gives them the opportunity to be a part of their community: to get a job, to further their education, and to provide for their families. I support Legal Aid and State’s Attorney George in their efforts to help the community, and I am looking forward to helping at the clinic Friday.”
The clinic will be held on Friday, December 14th, 2018, from 2- 6 pm at The Winooski Community Justice Center, 27 W. Allen Street Winooski, VT.
Attorneys from the Attorney General’s Office and Vermont Legal Aid are advising and helping petition for any Vermont “qualifying” criminal conviction and all dismissed charges from any court in the state. Examples of “qualifying” criminal convictions include: retail theft, unlawful mischief and disorderly conduct. Many other crimes are also eligible for expungement. There is a cost to petition: the courts charge $90 per docket, but individuals may be eligible for a court “fee waiver”. Volunteers will help fill out those forms.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility for expungement, the event, or any other inquiries, you can contact Vermont Legal Aid at expungement@vtlegalaid.org or 802-424-4701.