1 year ago
70
Birmingham nonprofit officials and local lawmakers are praising the continuance of expungement clinics for helping eligible Alabamians get a second chance. Legal Services of Alabama is hosting an expungement clinic Saturday afternoon in Montgomery that is open to anyone, no matter where they live. Monica Shields, YWCA senior director of family and community empowerment, said having a criminal record creates barriers when it comes to housing or even food assistance for those who have been convicted of certain crimes. "When there are barriers to housing and stable housing, that will manifest in a breakdown in the larger community," Shields said. LaRhonda Grant with Legal Services of Alabama agrees. "Background checks are done for housing, for different public benefits, for jobs even, even school now, certain colleges are looking at your criminal background," Grant said. But through the Alabama Redeemer Act passed in 2021, those convicted of non-violent offenses can apply for expungement of up to two misdemeanors and one felony, according to Grant. Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson believes it is an opportunity for a second chance many people deserve. "We have very intelligent people that make mistakes in life and they deserve a fair chance to improve their life," Tyson said. Grant said navigating how to properly get a crime expunged can be challenging. "The process is quite simple in itself but the steps can be quite cumbersome if you don't know the process," Grant said. The expungement clinic taking place in Montgomery Saturday will be an opportunity to help those with the process. Grant said it is open to all residents of Alabama interested in finding out if they are eligible. "We see many people from different backgrounds that just really don't know the process, so we try to give self-help guides, one on one's, or even just information that kind of breaks it down into smaller chunks that explain 'this is the process that you need to do and here is all the documents that you need," Grant said.Shields believes it is a change for one person that can affect an entire community. "It's going to aid families in being able to break down accessibility barriers from housing, from employment, will serve the overall public to a great degree," Shields said. The clinic is being held at the First Baptist Church of Greater Washington in Montgomery from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tyson said there is one planned in Jefferson County as well on June 2.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —
Birmingham nonprofit officials and local lawmakers are praising the continuance of expungement clinics for helping eligible Alabamians get a second chance.
Legal Services of Alabama is hosting an expungement clinic Saturday afternoon in Montgomery that is open to anyone, no matter where they live.
Monica Shields, YWCA senior director of family and community empowerment, said having a criminal record creates barriers when it comes to housing or even food assistance for those who have been convicted of certain crimes.
"When there are barriers to housing and stable housing, that will manifest in a breakdown in the larger community," Shields said.
LaRhonda Grant with Legal Services of Alabama agrees.
"Background checks are done for housing, for different public benefits, for jobs even, even school now, certain colleges are looking at your criminal background," Grant said.
But through the Alabama Redeemer Act passed in 2021, those convicted of non-violent offenses can apply for expungement of up to two misdemeanors and one felony, according to Grant.
Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson believes it is an opportunity for a second chance many people deserve.
"We have very intelligent people that make mistakes in life and they deserve a fair chance to improve their life," Tyson said.
Grant said navigating how to properly get a crime expunged can be challenging.
"The process is quite simple in itself but the steps can be quite cumbersome if you don't know the process," Grant said.
The expungement clinic taking place in Montgomery Saturday will be an opportunity to help those with the process. Grant said it is open to all residents of Alabama interested in finding out if they are eligible.
"We see many people from different backgrounds that just really don't know the process, so we try to give self-help guides, one on one's, or even just information that kind of breaks it down into smaller chunks that explain 'this is the process that you need to do and here is all the documents that you need," Grant said.
Shields believes it is a change for one person that can affect an entire community.
"It's going to aid families in being able to break down accessibility barriers from housing, from employment, will serve the overall public to a great degree," Shields said.
The clinic is being held at the First Baptist Church of Greater Washington in Montgomery from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tyson said there is one planned in Jefferson County as well on June 2.
English (US)