In response to Kentucky’s new felony expungement law, the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (KACDL), the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA), Clean Slate Kentucky and legal aid organizations are partnering to host a series of expungement information sessions in the coming weeks.
These events are aimed at helping interested citizens understand and navigate the felony expungement process. They will occur in late-July and early-August in Lexington, Covington, Hazard and Paducah.
The law is the result of House Bill 40, which was passed in the 2016 General Assembly and allows judges to expunge certain low-level felonies if the applicant has abstained from criminal activity for a period of five years. It was sponsored by Rep. Darryl Owens, D-Louisville, with Rep. David Floyd, R-Bardstown, acting as primary co-sponsor and backed by Gov. Matt Bevin. The measure takes effect July 15.
“This coalition of attorneys and organizations working to educate people eligible for expungement under House Bill 40 are true champions of their profession,” said Rep. Owens, chairman of House Judiciary Committee. “Helping the thousands of Kentuckians understand the expungement process, which will give them a much deserved second chance at life, is outstanding, and I applaud these extraordinary legal advocates for this extraordinary effort.”
“There are tens of thousands of Kentuckians who have broken the law, paid their debt to society, and have gone on to do exactly what we ask of every defendant in the criminal justice system: not break the law anymore,” said Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Hopkinsville, chairman of Senate Judiciary Committee. “I am proud to have helped author HB 40 to allow a second chance for those who deserve one, making a positive impact in their lives, their families and communities.”
Kentucky Justice Secretary John Tilley praised the organizations for helping Kentuckians reclaim their dignity once they have committed to a law-abiding life.
“Our state has adopted a clear, bipartisan stance that most low-level felonies do not warrant the life-long economic hardships that result from a criminal record,” Secretary Tilley said. “So many of our fellow Kentuckians will receive a chance for redemption under this law, and I commend efforts to expedite that process.”
Ernie Lewis, President of KACDL, the state’s largest association of criminal defense attorneys, said that “we are very excited about the relief that this bill will provide to hard-working Kentucky citizens who made a mistake in the past and continue to pay the price despite having completed service of their sentence. We are delighted to partner with others to help lighten the load for so many, enabling them to move their lives forward.”
Links to Facebook events:
All events: https://www.facebook.com/CleanSlateKentucky/events
Individual events:
Covington: https://www.facebook.com/events/290754037938603/
Hazard: https://www.facebook.com/events/1042631569152228/
Lexington: https://www.facebook.com/events/545491762302737/
Paducah: https://www.facebook.com/events/201047520290933/
Knowing how helpful this is for clients, public defenders enthusiastically worked with many others for passage of this measure.
“When judges across our Commonwealth grant these expungements for the thousands who are eligible, they will be lifting the economic death sentence so many have been suffering under, and our friends and neighbors will be able better to provide for themselves and their families,” Public Advocate Ed Monahan said. “I am proud that public defenders are part of educating the public on this important benefit to our fellow citizens.”
Molly Rose Green, expungement fellow at the Department of Public Advocacy, has created a place to find information about this law, www.CleanSlateKentucky.com She has conducted many expungement workshops across the Commonwealth.
“Clean Slate Kentucky is glad to be helping assist some of the many Kentuckians who cannot afford legal representation,” Green said.
For more information about expungement and CleanSlateKentucky, contact Molly Green at molly.green@ky.gov.
Department of Public Advocacy Kentucky Justice & Public Safety Cabinet