LANCASTER – A criminal conviction can carry a lifetime of consequences, making it difficult to obtain employment or even housing. California’s expungement law is a legal remedy available for certain criminal convictions that can help offenders clear their criminal records and move on with their lives.
Do you need to know if you are eligible to expunge your record, how to fill out the forms you need, or how to file with the court?
If so, you may find answers by attending one of the expungement workshops now offered twice a week in Lancaster.
Presented by the Lancaster GROW (General Relief Opportunities for Work) Team and the AV-East Kern 2nd Chance Program, the Expungement Workshops are offered every Tuesday and Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Lancaster GROW office, located at 337 East Avenue K-10 in Lancaster.
The workshops are open to all members of the community, and there is no need to reserve a seat.
“Everyone makes mistakes at least once in a while, but that doesn’t mean they deserve to be penalized for a lifetime, and a criminal record does just that,” stated Michelle Egberts of the AV-East Kern 2nd Chance Program. She said the benefits of the expungement workshops far outweigh the costs associated with crime.
“The benefits to the AV community would be reduction in recidivism, reduction in governmental assistance payments, increased income, economic growth, increased tax revenues, preserved family life and the ability to pay victim restitution,” Egberts stated.
According to Egberts, the workshops offer a comprehensive discussion on topics such as:
- Expungement,
- Certificate of rehabilitation/ pardon,
- Reducing felonies to misdemeanors, and
- Homeless court.
Participants are simply asked to bring a copy of their “minute order” from court or their “rap sheet,” according to Egberts. (View a flyer for the expungement workshops here.)
For more information on attending one of these workshops, contact Malik Reason at 661-974-8947 or Michelle Egberts at 661-418-8361.
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Baddabing says
Really? Why are you protecting her from comments that may question her motive? Did she threaten to sue you?
Sara says
Whose being judgmental?
Eric says
GOOD! Most people fail to realize that the problem with the criminal justice system is not simply incarceration, it is the black mark it is placing on people. A simple mistake in ones youth can lead to them being blacklisted for the entirety of their life, regardless of the severity of the offense. As long as that mark remains on a persons record, it drains on their desire to not only better their life, but their hopes of ever being able to enable a living that would provide for rehabilitation and becoming a productive member of society. Plenty of good men and women only need a hand up to rejoin; hopefully there will be a few extended from this.
It would also help if the judgmental elitists who turn their nose at those in need of help could stop with their vitriol.
Calling BS says
Sure would be nice if the judgemental elitists who call others who have different opinions ‘judgemental elitists’ would take a look in the mirror from time to time. Pot/Kettle.
P.S. Everyone makes mistakes. Not everyone makes felony mistakes. Whatever.
Michelle Egberts says
@Calling BS… As I’ve said many times on this website… “We are all one bad choice away from having a criminal record.
Calling BS says
Um… no. Actually, we aren’t. Speak for yourself man.
Red says
@Calling b.s., possibly you will never make a mistake but I’ve experienced things with family members. I am in know way condoning any crime but if a kid shoplifts and is charged with robbery, it can a big difference in sentencing and consequences. It’s a great idea. It stated for certain types of crimes and after a length of time.The person chooses to go to a workshop, qualify for it, go to court and signed by a judge, all so then get a job. And you don’t like it. Is that so you can complain that people are takers and don’t work?
Michelle Egberts says
@Eric… Many private sector employers are unaware of SB 530- Expungement Law here in the AV and how their companies are exposed to penalties assessed with background check violations related to expungements, not only monetary, but criminal (misdemeanor). Then we have AB 218 “Ban the Box”. On top of that, the EEOC Guidelines relating to Arrest & Conviction which was adopted in April 2012… If I were the City of Palmdale and Lancaster, I would be looking at Ordinances that would ensure protection for private sector employers. Intellicorp was just give a judgement for background check violations in the amount of $18.6 million, not to mention many other fortune 500 companies such as K-mart, First Student etc…
sikntired says
Shouldn’t you be out welcoming Christopher Hubbart to the A.V.? Gonna babysit him?
David says
Comments like this let me know how indecent and Juvenile the people are who oppose Michelle’s good work. You’re either building up or tearing down society. I suggest helping others as Michelle does instead of making ignorant comments. There is still time to do something good today.
bird says
Amen!
Red says
@sicntired, WOW, you’re way out of bounds with your comments. You are conflating a career rapist with a seminar a person chooses to attend so they can get a job? You have some twisted thinking.
Matt K. says
You’re obviously new to this site and have absolutely no knowledge of past events and articles that were covered here, as well as people who’ve put forth commentary and political positions. If you had been here a lengthier amount of time, you’d know what SickNTired was talking about.
Irena says
But on the flip side of the coin: How do we protect employers from those who might reoffend? Getting an expungement is very easy in most cases so it isn’t like having it done really ensures that the person will never reoffend.
Something like petty theft, breaking and entering are crimes if repeated at the workplace can have an impact on the company that hired someone.
I agree that not everyone will commit an offense just because they have in the past. But I do think that the task of having that record expunged should be a bit harder to complete. it is 1 form and maybe one court hearing.
Yes, I understand the process very well, I have done many of them during my internship.
Calling BS says
Excellent point, Irena. Employers are liable for the actions of their employees when they are on company time. Depending on the job, and the offense, this could be really problematic.
Matt K. says
Finally, common sense prevails!
Nancy P says
Michelle, I think it will be interesting to see how many people who get previous records expunged, them turn around and commit the same types of crmes (fraud). Hope someone is keeping track.