The University of Tennessee College of Law Legal Clinic is partnering with the Monroe County legal community to host a Saturday Expungement Community Court on Oct. 30.
The event will bring together judges, legal partners, and community volunteers at the First United Church of Christ in Sweetwater, Tennessee from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to assist residents of Monroe County with criminal records.
Prior to the event, University of Tennessee 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. College of Law students will work in collaboration with Monroe County and 10th Judicial District judges, the office of the public defender and district attorney, court clerks, and local pro bono attorneys at the event to assist clients.
The event also offer the Legal Clinic the opportunity to test a new version of ExpungeTN.org, a website developed with support from the Tennessee Legal Initiatives Fund that will launch in January. The website will provide self-help tools for individuals who want to expunge charges from their record, petition for certificates of employability and restore their voting rights.
Those interested in receiving free legal assistance must pre-register before Oct. 10 at www.ExpungeTN.org/register.
Under the direction of UT Law Clinic Director Joy Radice, the UT College of Law began offering expungement services five years ago to residents of East Tennessee through Saturday expungement events. The clinics are also aimed at helping residents better understand Tennessee’s statutes covering expungement, voter restoration and certificates of employability.
General Sessions Court Judge Dwaine “Benjy” Thomas; Monroe County Criminal Court Judge Sandra Donaghy; Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk Marty Cook; and 10th Judicial District Public Defender Richard Hughes are hosting the event.
For more information, contact Karla Mendez at 865-974-6775.