Clinic was a success

Tremendous gratitude and heartfelt thanks are extended to the attorneys and volunteers who provided free services and counseling to Maryland citizens who attended the April 29 Free Expungement Clinic, co-sponsored by the Office of Del. Edith Patterson, State of Maryland Office of the Public Defender (Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties) and the Maryland Bar Association.

Over a four-hour span, the attorneys and volunteers worked tirelessly to accommodate 150-plus clients, generated requests for the elimination of some filing fees and processed 656 cases. Attorneys and volunteers were not only from this area but also travelled from Baltimore city, Washington, D.C.; Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Special thanks are extended to: Commissioner Debra Davis (D), Michael Beach (public defender), Edie Cimino, Anna Barba, Erica Hawkins, Michele Harewood, Malik Harewood, Olivia Barba, John Dunlap, Alistair Johnson, Abbey Thibeault, Luke Woods, Tre Steger-Smith, Mary Denise Davis, Kaitlym Golden, Abram Shanedling, Derrick Johnson, Cindy Frezzo, Derrick Hamlin, Andre Mahasa, Zain Shirazi, Allison Heldruth, members of Job Opportunities Task Force — Caryn York and Nicole Hanson and lastly members of my staff — Attorney Jacqueline Parks and Chief of Staff Melinda Hamilton. This successful program represented the collective efforts of various advocacy groups, churches, community communications/media and public defender offices. As a result of this clinic, it is hopeful citizens will have better opportunities for employment and education.

Del. Edith J. Patterson (D-Charles), Annapolis