Expungement Clinic Set for December 12 in St. Albans

Attorney General Charity Clark, along with Franklin County State's Attorney Bram Kranichfeld, will host a free expungement clinic on Thursday, December 12, 2024, with appointments available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Expungements wipe from your criminal record specific convictions and dismissed charges after a certain period of time has passed. Under Vermont law, most misdemeanors, 14 different felony offenses, and all dismissed charges can be expunged or sealed. The free clinic will focus on expunging and sealing criminal charges and convictions from Franklin County and will be open to the public by appointment only.

"My office is committed to assisting with clearing old criminal records that are holding Vermonters back, and I thank State's Attorney Kranichfeld, as well as our partners Code for BTV, Samaritan House, and the Franklin Grand Isle Restorative Justice Center for joining us in this important initiative," said Attorney General Clark. "An old criminal record can be an obstacle to securing stable housing, getting a better job, and participating fully in the community. These expungement clinics are a way for us to help Vermonters who have paid their debt to society and stayed out of trouble get a fresh start and strengthen the community as a whole."

"An expungement isn't just about erasing a criminal record, it's about offering individuals the opportunity to redefine their future," said Harmony Bourgeois, Executive Director of Franklin Grand Isle Restorative Justice Center. "Many of the individuals we serve struggle with obtaining gainful employment and securing stable housing because of their criminal record. We are excited to join in offering this expungement clinic to eligible Vermonters to remove this obstacle."

"Thank you for the wonderful opportunity presented by the Attorney General's office to offer an expungement workshop in our community, which will help remove barriers to employment that many people in our community face, especially those who are unhoused and unemployed," said Robert Giles, Community Specialist at Samaritan House. "This opportunity gives people hope and a chance to help secure a better future for themselves and their families."

Attorneys from the Attorney General's Office will offer free assistance with petitions for Vermont-specific "qualifying" criminal convictions and dismissed charges. Vermonters must schedule appointments in advance by calling the Attorney General's Office at 802-828-3171 or emailing [email protected] by November 22, 2024. Eligible participants will be given an in-person appointment at Samaritan House in St. Albans, Vermont, on the day of the clinic.

More information on expungements generally is available at Vermont Legal Aid's website at www.vtlawhelp.org/expungement .

CONTACT: Amelia Vath, Outreach and Communications Coordinator, 802-828-3171