Free Expungement Clinic In Newark: Learn How To Clear A Criminal Record, Get A Fresh Start

NEWARK, NJ — A free expungement clinic for people who want to clear their criminal record will take place in Newark on Saturday, Oct. 4.

An expungement clinic and a resource fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Down Bottom Farms, 371-395 Ferry Street in Newark (see flyer below).

The expungement clinic will end at 2 p.m. It is open to any adult 21 and up with a criminal record, including cannabis/marijuana convictions. The first 50 people to register may be eligible for the payment of court fines (up to a certain limit). Attendees must register in advance at www.tinyurl.com/ascendnewark

Attendees will have access to job placement opportunities, housing assistance and veteran assistance. There will also be children’s activities, including a bouncy house.

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EXPUNGEMENTS IN NEW JERSEY

According to state authorities, court-ordered expungements can remove the following information from a person’s record:

• an arrest
• all court proceedings related to a case
• a criminal or juvenile conviction
• the outcome of a case, including sentence

“In most cases, you must wait five years after your sentence is served,” the New Jersey Courts advises. “All fines and fees must be paid. Sometimes, you can file for expungement after four years. You can expunge no more than one indictable conviction and up to three disorderly persons offenses or petty disorderly persons offenses.”

Legal Services of New Jersey notes that some criminal convictions can’t be expunged in New Jersey. The list includes murder, sexual offenses, robbery, arson, terrorism and other serious crimes.

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