05 Jan Advocacy Groups and Educators Join on Delta Area Expungement Relief
For Immediate Release
Advocacy Groups And Educators Join On Delta Area Expungement Relief
CONTACT: Kyra McDonald, 769-230-2829; Linda Stringfellow, 662-846-4358
JACKSON—The Mississippi Center for Justice (MCJ) will hold an expungement clinic in January to help those in the Delta clear their arrest and conviction records. The clinic is offered in conjunction with Delta State University’s AmeriCorps*VISTA program, and Equal Justice Works.
Specifically, the clinic is designed to remove barriers to employment for people that have arrest and conviction histories. Kyra McDonald, Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow at MCJ, is the attorney hosting the clinic for MCJ. Also on hand will be Linda Stringfellow, Director of the AmeriCorps*Volunteers In Service To America program at Center for Community and Economic Development/Delta State University.
“We’re excited about this opportunity,” McDonald said. “So many Mississippians qualify for expungements but can’t afford the legal representation they need. We are giving our professional legal help for free. We are so happy to offer the service in the Delta.”
The clinic will be held at the Center for Community and Economic Development on Jan. 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Expungement help is also available through the Jackson office of MCJ. Potential clients can find out if they qualify for an expungement and set up an appointment for the clinic by calling McDonald at 769-230-2829.
While the services offered by MCJ include free expungement petition preparation, clients are responsible for filing their own petitions. Most courts charge a filing fee for expungement petitions, and clients are responsible for these fees. The fees vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The expungements are for state crimes in Mississippi only, and clients must bring a copy of any and all documents related to offense(s) to be expunged to the clinic. Other conditions also apply.
The Mississippi Center for Justice is a nonprofit, public interest law firm committed to advancing racial and economic justice. Supported and staffed by attorneys, community leaders and volunteers, the Center develops and pursues strategies to combat discrimination and poverty statewide.
Created in 1993, the Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellowship Program is one of the most productive and highly regarded national service programs in the country. AmeriCorps Legal Fellows make a lasting impact on the communities they serve by expanding the legal resources in low-income and underserved communities and facilitating pro bono opportunities.
For 50 years, VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) has been in the forefront of helping communities across America to help themselves fight poverty. VISTA members devote a year of their lives to challenge poverty’s root causes by mobilizing community volunteers and local resources, and by increasing the capacity of people to rely on themselves. VISTA members sole mission is to Fight Poverty With Passion. For more information, please visit www.equaljusticeworks.org and www.cns.gov.
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