Oct 18, 2023 2 min read

Having even a minor criminal record is enough to create a barrier to many basic necessities, including housing and employment.

According to the Washington Center for American Progress, approximately 70 million to 100 million Americans have a criminal record. With limited resources for people who have redeemed themselves about how to clean these records after justice has been served, it prevents them from rebuilding their lives.

Summit Legal Aid, which serves as Washington County’s nonprofit legal aid organization, and the Washington County Bar Association are working together to address the issue and help residents in the community eliminate these barriers.

The groups are planning a Clean Slate Legal Clinic for people with criminal charges and/or convictions to meet with volunteer attorneys and law students for free to find out if they are eligible for expungements, pardons, and sealing.

The Clean Slate Clinic is being hosted by the Masonic Fraternity at 44 W. Wheeling St. in Washington from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Walk-ins will be welcome at this event, but pre-registration to meet with an attorney is strongly encouraged.

To register, visit https://summitlegal.org/clean-slate-legal-clinic or dial 1-800-846-0871 to speak with Summit Legal Aid’s intake team.

In June 2018, the PA Clean Slate Bill was passed, which automatically sealed arrests where the person was not convicted, summary offenses, and many non-violent misdemeanors. It also expanded the list of misdemeanors that can be sealed. Expungements, pardons and limiting access to records are vital to eliminating barriers for individuals who are working toward better lives.

For anyone who wants to talk with a Summit Legal about expungements, pardons and sealing can call 1-800-846-0871 or email info@summitlegal.org.