Providing A Second Chance For Those With A Criminal Record: Expungement Clinic Nov. 23

By: Destiny Torres, Staff Reportert

Students attending California State University, Dominguez Hills who have a criminal record may have a hard time finding a job after graduation. That is why the Scholars United and the Pre-Law Society club have worked together to host an clinic on campus. 

The clinic will be on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. in SAC 3165. Lawyer and CSUDH alumni Eric Garcia will be available to give legal advice and help begin the expungement process. At the event, students can learn how the process works to get their records expunged.

Expungement is the process of petitioning the court to have misdemeanors and certain felonies cleared from public view. It does not erase any conviction, but does it make harder for prospective employers and others to form opinions about a person who has paid their debt to society and just wants to get on with life. It can take up to eight years for more offenses to disappear from public view, but with expungement, a person can speed up that process. 

“You can wait [seven or eight] years for it to come off your record, or you can get it off in six or seven months and actually have your chance to get that job that you’ve been wanting,” Cynthia Blake, the co-founder and vice-president of Scholars United, said. 

In order to be eligible for expungement, a person must have completed their probation, not be charged with a crime, and not be in the process of sentencing. At the clinic, a person needs to bring their minute order and the name of their processing agency. 

“This is kind of a way to clear that path and allow you to continue your objective towards getting a job while you’re here trying to get an education” Edward Oyarce, co-president of the Pre-Law Society, said. 

Seating is limited. You can reserve a spot on ToroLink here: https://torolink.csudh.edu/event/5075789