Attorney General Charity Clark, along with Washington County State’s Attorney Michelle Donnelly, will host a free expungement clinic on Friday, October 27, 2023, with appointments available 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 or sealed. The free clinic will focus on expunging and sealing criminal charges and convictions from Washington County and will be open to the public by appointment.
“My office is committed to assisting with clearing old criminal records that are holding Vermonters back, and I thank State’s Attorney Donnelly and Code for BTV for joining us in this important initiative,” said Attorney General Clark. “By giving Vermonters who have paid their debt and lived free of trouble a chance at a fresh start, we create greater economic, educational, and social opportunities.”
“I’m looking forward to the clinic,” said Washington County State’s Attorney Donnelly. “Washington County seeks just outcomes for victims and offenders. Expungement of records of crimes is just where the offender has paid their debt to the community and has not committed any new offenses. These Vermonters have earned the opportunity for a fresh start. This clinic will give eligible Washington County residents easier access to this tool.”
Attorneys from the Attorney General’s Office will offer free assistance with petitions for Vermont-specific “qualifying” criminal convictions and dismissed charges. Vermonters must schedule appointments in advance by calling the Attorney General’s Office’s expungement clinic line at 802-828-0033 by October 12, 2023. Eligible participants will have the option of scheduling an in-person or telephone appointment for the day of the clinic. All in-person appointments will be conducted at the City Center building in Montpelier.
More information on expungements generally is available at Vermont Legal Aid’s website at www.vtlawhelp.org/expungement.
Contact: Lauren Jandl, Chief of Staff, 802-828-3171