Mayor Linda Gorton and several community partners today announced plans for the next Clean Slate Lexington Expungement Clinic and Job Fair.
The event, set for Tuesday, April 30, at Central Bank Center, will offer residents the possibility of expunging qualifying misdemeanors and felonies from their criminal records.
“Our Clean Slate Lexington Expungement Clinics have been widely attended, and have been proven to open new doors to many in our community,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “These clinics help our residents expunge their records from low level, non-violent offenses, obtain basic resources, and start a new chapter in their lives.” Expungement can remove hurdles to voting, employment, education, and housing.
Tiffany Brown, the City’s Equity and Implementation Officer, works on programs and resources to support the community, including coordinating the Clean Slate Lexington event. “Clean Slate Lexington aims to help those who have been kept from accessing basic needs because of a past criminal conviction,” Brown said. “The goal of this event is to further promote equity, inclusion, and diversity so all walks of life are represented in our workplaces, communities, and educational institutions. The City is thankful to its partners, who share our same vision, and help make these events a success.”
In Kentucky, expungement reform has been occurring for over 30 years. In recent years, the legislature has expanded expungement eligibility to include many low-level, non-violent offenses. Eligibility details will be available at the Clean Slate event.
“At Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, we are excited to be participating in Lexington’s 2024 Clean Slate Expungement Clinic,” Executive Director Robert Johns said. “Everyone deserves a second chance, and the expungement of criminal records can provide that second chance for folks to have opportunities for better housing, jobs, and education. April is Second Chance Month, and we appreciate Lexington’s continued commitment to supporting second chances.”
Heather Dieffenbach, Executive Director of the Lexington Public Library, said, “Clean Slate Expungement Clinic and Job Fair embodies our community's collaborative spirit, with the participation of numerous employers eager to offer opportunities to individuals with prior justice involvement. From providing valuable resources to offering resume assistance and guidance, Lexington Public Library is committed to empowering our community members on their journey toward economic mobility.”
Employers will be on site to conduct job interviews, and the state and city workforce programs, WORK-Lexington and the Kentucky Career Center, will also be available.
Registration and a background check are required for those interested in participating in the Clean Slate Expungement Clinic and Job Fair. The expungement clinic will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, at Central Bank Center, 425 West High Street. Find details and register online.
