DuPage Offenders May Get a Clean Slate Through Military Service

By Scott Viau (Patch Staff)

First-time, non-violent offenders may be able to get rid of a conviction and add direction to their lives.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin has announced a new program that will allow youthful offenders to enlist in the military and in return have a conviction removed from their record, according to the Chicago Tribune.

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“Beginning next week, recruiters from the Army, Marines and Navy will rotate to staff a kiosk near fourth floor courtrooms in Wheaton one day a month in order to pre-screen potential applicants. A representative from the U.S. Navy will be in the courthouse July 18 and from the U.S. Army on Aug. 1,” according to the report.

Berlin said the program is a win-win for certain offenders charged with certain crimes.

“(Offenders) will have their case disposed of and they can serve our country. It's a win for the country because we're going to get good people going into the service, where they'll get discipline, skills and job training,” Berlin told the Tribune.