Paris, Tenn.–A unique opportunity for members of the public to receive free legal assistance with having their criminal records considered for possible expungement is being offered on Saturday, August 12, at the Henry County courthouse. A reminder: today (Monday, August 7) is the deadline to complete your packet if you plan to attend.
Expungement is a court-ordered process where the legal record of some criminal cases can be erased in the eyes of the law in Tennessee. In Tennessee, only certain criminal records can be expunged. For this particular clinic, only non-convictions of misdemeanors will be the focus. Many such cases can be expunged without any fees and there’s no charge for the clinic or legal assistance. The only money that ‘may’ be required would be any court cost, fines, fees or restitution remaining on a case you are seeking to have expunged, but attorneys and Judge Snyder will be on-hand to address those issues and offer possible remedies.
The expungement clinic is a project of the Tennessee Faith and Justice Alliance, an initiative of the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission. Locally, the effort is being supported by General Sessions Judge Vicki Snyder, Court Clerk Mike Wilson and Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Griffey.
Other organizations lending their support include the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyer’s Division, First United Methodist Church and the W.G. Rhea Library.
Interested parties need to do two things: 1. Pick up a pre-registration packet, complete the information and return it to either the First United Methodist Church, W. G. Rhea Library, or General Sessions Office at the courthouse by Monday, August 7th. 2. Be at the expungement clinic on Saturday, August 12th at 9:00 a.m. at the Henry County courthouse.
“The clinic will conclude at noon but everyone will not necessarily have to stay the entire time but I would prepare to be here as long as it takes,” Wilson said. “Some may take a shorter time period than others depending on the complexity of their circumstances and the number of attendees.”
Pre-registration is mandatory because records have to be retrieved, prepared and made ready for the clinic. Only misdemeanors that did not result in a guilty or conviction are being considered at this clinic. There are other types of expungements available under Tennessee law but this clinic is focusing on those that are the most easily considered.
During the expungement clinic attorneys from the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyer’s Division will be present to review records, give free legal advice and appear before Judge Snyder on behalf of attendees. Additionally, court staff will be helping retrieve records, take any necessary payments and accept final expungement orders for processing
If anyone has questions about this event, please contact Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Griffey at (731) 644-9191. Space is limited to the first 75 people to pre-register. “It’s very important to pre-register and complete your expungement packet by Monday, August 7th in order to attend the Saturday, August 12th clinic.
Clinic information and packets are available at any of the three locations: First United Methodist Church of Paris, W. G. Rhea Library or the Henry County General Sessions Court Clerk’s office.
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