Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO, formerly Southeast Ohio Legal Services) is offering a free “Fresh Start” legal clinic on Nov. 22 to help people with past criminal records seal or expunge them.
Many Ohioans with records were previously not able to seal or expunge them. Thanks to a law passed in 2023, some people may now be able to.
Lawyers will be available at the event to screen people for eligibility for sealing or expunging their records and to help applicants with their paperwork.
The legal clinic will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at the Scioto County Welcome Center, 342 Second St., Portsmouth, OH 45662.
Walk-ins are welcome, but scheduling an appointment time beforehand is strongly encouraged. People can pre-register online at https://oslsaoi.legalserver.org/modules/matter/extern_intake.php?pid=171&h=78ad99&, or by calling 614-827-0524. People will be helped first-come, first-served except for those who pre-registered and have an appointment. We will accept walk-ins until noon unless volume requires that we end earlier.
This free clinic is open to those who meet eligibility and income guidelines (generally less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines).
Please note: Records cannot be sealed for those who are currently on probation, community control, or have an open case. OVIs and most traffic cases are not eligible to be sealed or expunged.
(About Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio: LASCO (formerly Southeastern Ohio Legal Services) is a nonprofit organization that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in central and southeast Ohio. LASCO helps clients resolve legal problems involving housing, family law, domestic violence, and other critical areas of law to improve their safety, stability, and economic security. For more information, visit www.lasco.org. )
