The Young Lawyers Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association is seeking attorneys and law students to volunteer to work at an Expungement and Sealing Clinic at six different locations in Philadelphia on Saturday, November 12, 2016.

On February 16, 2016, Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 166, which expanded criminal record sealing in Pennsylvania. The law allows individuals who have served their sentence and remained free of arrest or prosecution for seven to ten years, for misdemeanors of the 2nd and 3rd degree, to petition the court for their record to be sealed from public view. Examples of convictions that can be sealed include drug possession, DUI, minor theft, disorderly conduct and prostitution.

Having their record sealed can allow a person to pursue permanent employment or housing that would otherwise not be available to them. It can dramatically improve the client’s quality of life and lower their chances of recidivism.

In an effort to process as many petitions as quickly and efficiently as possible, the Young Lawyers Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association has partnered with Community Legal Services, the office of Mayor Jim Kenney, the Office of the District Attorney of the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Criminal Section to conduct a pro bono criminal record expungement and sealing clinic.

The clinic will take place at six locations throughout Philadelphia on November 12, 2016. While advertised as running from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., we will actually open the doors at 9:30 a.m. and run through 1:30 p.m. to allow for sufficient time to handle all walk-in clients who arrive before 12:30 p.m.

At least 100 attorneys and law students are sought to work at the clinic to process petitions on November 12, 2016. This will which will require a commitment of a one-hour training and four hours the day of the clinic. 

Additionally, at least 25 attorneys are sought to handle subsequent hearings to be scheduled on a later day reserved by the court solely for expungement and sealing petitions, which will require an additional estimated six-hour commitment. 

CLE Training Sessions on Expunging & Sealing Criminal Records for volunteers are scheduled for:

• Tuesday, November 1, 2016 - 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
  Duane Morris LLP
  30 S 17th St
  12th Fl.
  Philadelphia, PA 19103-4196
  1 SUB
   
• Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
  Duane Morris LLP 
  30 S 17th St
  12th Fl.
  Philadelphia, PA 19103-4196
  1 SUB
   
• Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - 6 - 7 p.m.
  Philadelphia Bar Association
  1101 Market St., Aramark Bldg.
  11th Floor Conference Center
  Philadelphia, PA 19107
  1 SUB
   
• Friday, November 4, 2016 - 12 - 1 p.m.
  Philadelphia Bar Association
  1101 Market St., Aramark Bldg.
  11th Floor Conference Center
  Philadelphia, PA 19107
  1 SUB

For more information on volunteering for the clinic visit http://www.philadelphiabar.org/page/YLDExpungementVolunteers

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