Everybody makes mistakes, but a mistake that results in a criminal record can follow a person for the rest of his or her life.
And going through the process of getting an offense expunged from one’s record can be an expensive and complicated process.
But some Carroll County residents with bad marks on their records will soon have an opportunity to wipe their records clean for free during the county’s first-ever Expungement and Resource Clinic, which will be held February 22 in the main courtroom at the Carroll County Courthouse in Huntingdon.
According to Circuit Court Clerk Sarah Bradberry, those who have been convicted in Carroll County of certain misdemeanor crimes and low-level non-violent felonies can qualify to have these offenses expunged from their records, and the clinic is designed to help qualifying residents go through the process.
Bradberry said that this is the first time such a clinic has been offered in this county, and, as far as she knows, Henry County is the only other West Tennessee county that has done so.
“I believe in second chances, and I believe it’s time for the community to help those who are eligible,” she said. “Some people get caught up in the court system, and when it comes to non-violent, low-level crimes, a lot of people don’t know they can expunge them.”
Bradberry added that a criminal record, even for minor offenses, can be an obstacle when it comes to getting some jobs, educational opportunities, and housing, and helping people to overcome these obstacles and improve their lives benefits the community and society as a whole.
The clinic will feature free consultation by local volunteering attorneys, as well as free services and resources from Northwest Tennessee Adult Education, Northwest Tennessee Economic Development-Community Action, United Neighbors, Manpower, Hamilton-Ryker, and Beating Hearts.
And Bradberry said she will be waiving the usual processing fee for all those who take advantage of the clinic.
Bradberry pointed out that in order to qualify, applicants must not have any unpaid court fees or fines or unsatisfied conditions regarding probation or court-granted diversions, and it must be at least five years since the applicant was incarcerated in jail or prison.
Anyone wishing to apply for the clinic can contact Bradberry at (731) 986-1932 or online at [email protected].
“My plan is to take the first 40 eligible people,” said Bradberry, who added that she is planning to hold more such clinics in the future. “Anyone after the first 40 will go on the list for the next expungement.”
For those who participate in the clinic and complete the process, it will take between six and nine weeks to get a letter of expungement from the state.
Those with past convictions for violent crimes; sex-related crimes; DUI; child abuse, neglect, or endangerment; or other excluded criminal offenses will not be eligible for the clinic.
Bradberry pointed out that anyone who qualifies for expungement but does not choose to take advantage of the clinic can go through the application process anytime they want, but it will not be free.
