Community Redevelopment Project: Criminal Record Expunctions

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy helps people in the Charlotte, North Carolina, region who cannot afford legal services, but desperately need them. Without legal representation in civil matters, thousands of families can lose access to financial security, healthcare, housing and opportunity. Through its Community Redevelopment Project, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy helps low-income N.C. residents get their criminal records expunged. Expunctions remove past dismissed charges and convictions of misdemeanors and minor felonies on eligible criminal records by a court order. We are seeking pro bono attorneys to take on expungement cases. Without pro bono volunteers, these would otherwise appear on background checks when applying for housing and employment. More than one in five North Carolinians has a criminal record. Too often, individuals are automatically denied employment, housing, and other opportunities, based on past involvement with the criminal justice system, including dismissed charges and long-ago convictions. Through our individual representation and advocacy, we seek to help people with a criminal record have a fair chance at productive citizenship. We offer trainings to attorneys outside of their practice area. We also provide a tool kit with the necessary materials to take the case. The Advocacy Center staff provide ongoing assistance and co-counsel is welcome and encouraged! You would enjoy expunction work if: You want to work directly with clients. You are excited about eliminating barriers to opportunity in North Carolina. You want to volunteer but have limited or inconsistent time to do so. You want to learn more about re-entry and criminal justice reform.