An opportunity for Kern County residents to clear their criminal records and start a new chapter in their lives will be offered on April 4 when the California State University, Bakersfield Pre-Law Program, dozens of local attorneys and other organizations host an expungement pre-clinic.
The pre-clinic a required first step before admittance to the expungement clinic in May. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Psychiatric Wellness Center, 2204 Q St. Those interested in attending the expungement pre-clinic must email myanez@csub.edu to reserve a spot.
“Expunging a criminal record provides new opportunities by allowing individuals to access employment, housing and other aspects of life that might be restricted due to their past convictions, essentially giving them a ‘clean slate’ to rebuild their lives without the burden of a criminal history,” said co-organizer and local attorney David A. Torres.
Participants waited in long lines last year to access the legal assistance, far surpassing organizers’ expectations and demonstrating strong demand for the service in Kern County. The pre-clinic is an attempt to streamline wait times and add efficiencies by providing review of documents before the expungement clinic, set for May 9.
“Members of our community who have experienced a prior criminal conviction and now want to expunge their record have led law-abiding lives,” said co-organizer and local attorney H.A. Sala. “Expungement encourages rehabilitation and promotes public safety by providing a pathway to opportunities for successful employment, adequate housing, and higher education. The CSUB expungement clinic provides pro bono legal services that removes the disabilities of a prior conviction and encourages persons to become productive, law-abiding members of society.”
Participants must provide proof of valid identification and the case number to be eligible for the pre-clinic. All fines must be paid in full by the time of the expungement clinic in May. Only charges and cases in Kern County will be evaluated, and no federal or juvenile matters will be considered.
To retrieve your case number before the pre-expungement clinic, visit Kern County Superior Court Law Library or the Kern County Superior Court criminal case counter at 1415 Truxtun Ave. Participants may also visit the Kern County Sheriff’s Office for case information, but organizers caution that any outstanding warrants may result in arrest or detainment.
Both clinics are sponsored by H.A. Sala Attorney at Law; Torres |Torres Stallings: A Law Corporation; Law Office of Fatima Rodriguez; Kern County Law Library; Kern Health Systems; Kern County Probation Department; Superior Court of Kern County; Kern County District Attorney; Kern County Bar Association; Psychiatric Wellness Center; and the CSUB Pre-Law Society.
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