KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Area Urban League and many community partners have joined forces to help Knox County residents get their records cleared — and it's all free.
"A lot of people like me don't get a second chance. We don't get chances like this to get stuff off our record," said Brianna Robinson, a participant. "We ended up having to pay like $20,000 or $30,000. Or we're told no, doors are shut on us. So this is a way for us to come and get these things done without having to pay an arm and a leg. It's worth it and they take good care of you. You're already losing if you don't do it, so you might as well go win."
KAUL hosts an expungement clinic four times a year to help get rid of criminal charges, so participants gain their rights back. This includes things like restoring driver's licenses and voting rights.
"They are seeing the judges and getting fines expunged and records expunged," said Jackie Robinson, the re-entry coordinator at KAUL. "So they can be able to purchase cars, start a business, go to work, go to school, some things that they want to be able to do in life."
The clinic is done with multiple partners and in collaboration with the University of Tennessee Legal Clinic. Three judges are at each clinic, to clear the records.
"We have three judges who are our partners," said Joy Radice, the director of clinical programs, at the UT School of Law. "Judge Cerny, in General Sessions courts, Judge Sanchez in criminal court, and Judge Caviness in City Court. They're all in the classrooms, giving relief to individuals, and the students are appearing in front of them. So they develop a relationship with a client, they tell them about the laws, and then they appear in front of judges to get them help."
Robinson says about 40 people signed up for the first clinic of the year. She said most of them showed up for their appointments. Whitney Lewis, a participant, says she found out about the clinic at the Knox County Courthouse.
"It's a godsend," said Lewis. "I didn't have anybody to help. And I've got kids I have to support."
Other participants also say this clinic is helpful to have.
"A whole lot of things you can't do as a felon," said Michael Robs, a participant. "Especially when you done changed your life and you're not living a certain way no more, it's better to have something like this to where you can get your past away from you."
He too said people shouldn't be afraid to ask for help.
"You better go ask for some help," said Robs. "Ain't nothing to be scared of. It can't hurt you. It can only help, so why not help yourself instead of letting something from your past hold you back for so long."
Students from the University of Tennessee's College of Law also said they also get a good feeling when helping get charges expunged.
"The reason a lot of us came to law school was to help people to make the world a better place," said Max Williams, one of the students. "And this gives us the opportunity to do that before we get our diplomas, and be out here, and to be doing the good work that we're able to do, and we couldn't do it without them."
In order to qualify for the expungement clinic, people must first go through a pre-screening to see if they're eligible to get their records cleared.
"We don't really do any walk-ins for the cleaning," said Robinson. "Because we have a process already set up. Everybody has to be pre-screened, because you may not necessarily meet the criteria for the program. And we want to make sure we pre-screen you and talk with you. And if you do meet the criteria, then you qualify for the expungement orientation. You get an appointment on the time to come to that. And then that's what you fill out your paperwork that's important for you to be scheduled for."
The next clinic is expected to be held in the summer.