Contact: Charity R. Clark, Chief of Staff, 802-828-3171
Attorney General T.J. Donovan will partner with Windham County State’s Attorney Tracy Shriver, Vermont Legal Aid, and Code for BTV to host an expungement “tele-clinic” on Friday, November 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Expungements wipe from your record specific convictions and dismissed charges after a certain period of time has passed. Under Vermont law, many misdemeanors, 14 different felony offenses, and all dismissed charges can be expunged. The free clinic will focus on expunging criminal charges and convictions from Windham County and will be open to the public by telephone appointment.
Both Attorney General Donovan and State’s Attorney Shriver have been strong advocates of expanding access to expungements by increasing the types of offenses that are eligible for expungement. The clinic announced today is the latest in a series of expungement clinics that Attorney General Donovan has co-hosted around the state with state’s attorneys and Vermont Legal Aid.
“Access to expungement is a critical component in our ongoing fight for criminal justice reform,” said Attorney General Donovan. “Expunging criminal records gives Vermonters a fresh start by providing greater educational, economic, and social opportunities. I am pleased that State’s Attorney Shriver will be partnering with my office on this important effort. I thank Vermont Legal Aid for their continued leadership on this issue, and Code for BTV for their technical assistance.”
“I am pleased that we will be having another Expungement Clinic here in Windham County,” said State’s Attorney Shriver. “I am hopeful that county residents will take advantage of this great opportunity because it provides an easy, quick, and guided means for getting eligible offenses expunged from their records. I am grateful for the support from the partner agencies.”
Attorneys from the Attorney General’s Office, the State’s Attorney’s Office, and Vermont Legal Aid will offer free assistance with petitions for Vermont-specific “qualifying” criminal convictions and dismissed charges. Vermonters are encouraged to schedule appointments in advance by calling Vermont Legal Aid at 802-503-0005 x255.
On the day of the tele-clinic, Vermonters seeking expungement assistance will ideally have access to 1) a telephone (either landline or mobile); 2) the internet; and 3) a computer or smartphone that allows them to electronically sign documents. When scheduling a clinic appointment, Vermont Legal Aid will provide instructions on how to download a free app to sign documents, if needed, and help identify free public Wi-Fi hotspots. If you would like to participate in the clinic, but do not have access to a computer, smartphone, or the internet, the Attorney General’s Office will provide an accommodation by mailing documents to you. All you will need is a telephone.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility for expungement or the clinic you can contact Vermont Legal Aid at 802-503-0005 x255 or expungement@vtlegalaid.org. More information on expungement is available at www.vtlawhelp.org/expungement.