Attorney General Charity Clark, along with Lamoille County State’s Attorney Aliena Gerhard, will host a free expungement clinic on Thursday, October 3, 2024, with appointments available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Expungements remove specific convictions and dismissed charges from an individual's record after a certain period of time has passed. Under Vermont law, many misdemeanors, 14 different felony offenses, and all dismissed charges can be expunged or sealed.
The clinic will focus on expunging and sealing criminal charges and convictions from any county in Vermont and will be open to the public by appointment only.
“My office is committed to assisting with clearing old criminal records that are holding Vermonters back, and I thank State’s Attorney Gerhard, Code for BTV, Jenna’s Promise, and the Lamoille Restorative Center for joining us in this important initiative,” said Attorney General Clark. “By giving Vermonters who have paid their debt and stayed out of trouble a chance at a fresh start, we create greater economic, educational, and social opportunities for those individuals, and strengthen the community as a whole.”
“The State’s Attorney’s Office will review every case individually and make determinations according to the law in Vermont, victim input, and the protection of the public,” said Lamoille County State’s Attorney Gerhard.
“Expungement of criminal charges means a conviction needn't be a life sentence for an individual seeking to start a new chapter for themselves and their families,” said Heather Hobart, Executive Director of Lamoille Restorative Center.
Attorneys from the Attorney General’s Office will offer free assistance with petitions for Vermont-specific “qualifying” criminal convictions and dismissed charges. Vermonters must schedule appointments in advance by calling the Attorney General’s Office at 802-828-3171 by September 13, 2024. Eligible participants will be given an in-person appointment at Jenna’s Promise in Johnson, Vermont on the day of the clinic.
More information on expungements generally is available at Vermont Legal Aid’s website at www.vtlawhelp.org/expungement.
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