Courts’ clinic aims to help ex-offenders clear records and get jobs

An event on Saturday aims to help former offenders start the process of clearing their records and finding jobs.

An expungement clinic is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Verties Sails Gymnasium at the Southwest Tennessee Community College campus at 737 Union in Downtown.

Participants should bring their identification to the event.

People will walk them through the process of filling out a request for expungement.

It’s sponsored by the Criminal Court Clerk’s Office and the Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk’s office is partnering in the event.

The City of Memphis Drive While You Pay program will also be present — that’s a program that allows people to keep their driver’s licenses while they pay off traffic tickets.

Representatives of companies including Fedex, Kroger and American Job Center will be present to discuss job opportunities, organizers said.

It’s one of many such expungement events that local officials have sponsored in recent years.

Criminal records hinder many people in Memphis from landing jobs and other activities. Under Tennessee law, some crimes to be wiped off a person’s record after a certain amount of time through a process known as expungement.

Certain nonviolent crimes usually may be expunged, including low-level theft, fraud and forgery, as well as some drug offenses, according to a list maintained by the clerk’s office.

Some other crimes generally may NOT be expunged. Those include assault, aggravated assault, various gun crimes, certain crimes against children and driving under the influence, according to the list.

If you’re interested in expungement but can’t come to the Saturday event, the required forms are online at shelbycountytn.gov/2377/expun gement-inquiry

Investigative reporter Daniel Connolly welcomes tips and comments from the public. Reach him at 529-5296, daniel.connolly@commercial appeal.com, or on Twitter at @danielconnolly.