The University of Tennessee College of Law Legal Clinic is partnering with judges, legal partners, and community volunteers to host a Saturday Expungement Clinic on April 21 in Madisonville.
The event, which will be held in the First Baptist Church of Madisonville from 9 a.m. until noon, is a joint effort of the UT College of Law, Vet-to-Vet, and 10th Judicial District judges, court clerks, attorneys, and the community.
Residents of Bradley, McMinn, Monroe and Polk counties, with criminal charges from these counties, may be eligible for free legal assistance. Those interested must pre-register by calling the UT Legal Clinic Expungement Hotline at 865-974-6775 before April 10.
Prior to the event, legal clinic students trained in expungement law will review the criminal records of those who pre-register and determine if charges can be removed and old court costs waived. At the clinic, UT Law students will be assisted by local pro bono attorneys, volunteers from the Knoxville Bar Association, and the support of the Tennessee Faith and Justice Alliance.
Under the direction of UT Law Professor Joy Radice, the UT College of Law began offering expungement services four years ago to residents of East Tennessee through the Saturday Expungement Clinics. Since then, more than 600 clients have been assisted through the expungement events. The clinics are also aimed at helping residents better understand Tennessee’s expungement statute.
“We have organized Saturday clinics in Knoxville and Rutledge with great success, expunging hundreds of charges from criminal records,” Radice said. “We are happy to be able to bring these free legal services to the residents of Bradley, McMinn, Monroe and Polk Counties.”
General Sessions Judge Dwaine “Benjy” Thomas, who is hosting the event along with Criminal Court Judge Sandra Donaghey and Court Clerk Marty Cook, said the Saturday Expungement Clinic offers an opportunity to serve the community in a unique way.
“We are taking court to the people to give our community members with criminal records a second chance,” he said.
For more information about the event, contact Radice at 865-974-6773.