The second annual Statewide Restoration Day will be held at the University of Mississippi School of Law from 10 a.m. to noon today.
The Northeastern District of the Magnolia Bar Association in unity with the UM Black Law Students Association, Pro Bono Initiative and and Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project is hosting this clinic. Magnolia Bar’s Restoration Day Initiative has made this expungement clinic possible.
Karen Peairs, Esq. is the assistant director of career services at the University of Mississippi School of Law and the director of the Northeast district of the Magnolia Bar Association. This event is able to be held at the Robert C. Khayat School of Law within the Weems Auditorium.
She has practiced as both the prosecutor and defense attorney so she is well-versed in criminal law. She says that people who have been arrested in the past have been denied public housing, jobs and public benefits. This morning’s clinic will be an educational event with a potential outcome for the participants.
Anyone interested in learning how to erase his or her criminal record may want to attend this event to learn more about expungement. Participants should bring a valid I.D., a copy of the criminal record and an adjudication certification.
An expungement is the process of legally destroying, obliterating or striking out records or information in files, computers and other depositories relating to criminal charges. The event will open with an explanation of the expungement followed by a screening process.
The law students will pre-screen the audience members to see if their convictions qualify them for expungement. Those who qualify will meet with volunteer attorneys to have the necessary paperwork completed.
This event is free and welcome to the general public.
Callie Daniels is a staff writer for HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at callie.daniels@hottytoddy.com.
