Mayor Linda Gorton and community partners today announced plans for the next Clean Slate Lexington Expungement Clinic and Job Fair.
The event, set for Friday, April 28, at Central Bank Center, offers residents the possibility of expunging misdemeanors and non-violent felony offenses from their criminal records. This allows second chance opportunities to vote, gain employment, improve education, and attain housing.
“Our first Clean Slate Lexington Expungement Clinic and Job Fair was an amazing success,” Gorton said. “I am so excited to support the partnerships that are bringing another opportunity for our residents to have their records expunged and have potentially life-changing opportunities available to them.” The first event was in April 2022.
Tiffany Brown, the City’s Equity and Implementation Officer, works on programs and resources to support the community, including coordinating the Clean Slate Lexington events. “Clean Slate Lexington can open new doors to many in our community,” Brown said. “The City is proud to have great partners who are working hard to make the Clean Slate Lexington Expungement Clinic and Job Fair successful.”
In Kentucky, expungement reform has been occurring for over 30 years. In 2016, the state legislature expanded expungement eligibility to include additional Class D felonies. In 2019, expungement law was expanded to include hundreds of Class D felonies. Eligibility details will be available at the Clean Slate event.
“This expungement event is a highlight of our year at Legal Aid of the Bluegrass,” said Interim Executive Director Karen Ginn. “Cleaning up criminal records provides a fast track to better employment and housing. The ability to reach so many people in one day is remarkable, thanks to the City and Goodwill Industries of Kentucky.”
“Goodwill is proud to acknowledge National Second Chance Month,” said Senior Director of Reentry Dennis Ritchie. “We recognize it as a time to showcase the importance of creating second chances for those who have been incarcerated or faced other barriers to self-sufficiency. As a community, we have the responsibility to provide opportunities for individuals who are seeking to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society. This can be done through job training programs, education and other support services that help individuals transition back into their communities and build meaningful lives. In support, we are co-hosting a series of events and activities, including Second Chance Days at our Opportunity Centers across Kentucky, and the Clean Slate Lexington Expungement Clinic and Job Fair with the City and Legal Aid of the Bluegrass.”
“The Lexington Public Library is pleased to serve our community by co-sponsoring the Clean Slate Lexington Expungement Clinic and Job Fair again this year,” Executive Director Heather Dieffenbach said. “Library staff will be onsite during the event to facilitate resume and application assistance, in addition to sharing relevant library resources available to the public for free with their library card.”
Registration and a background check is required for those interested in participating in the Clean Slate Lexington Expungement Clinic and Job Fair. The expungement clinic will take place 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Friday, April 28. at Central Bank Center, 425 West High Street. The job fair will take place 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Individuals can find details and register lexingtonky.gov/expungement-clinic-job-fair.
