An expungement removes criminal convictions from a person’s public record, and for many people like Melody Woods, it gives them a second chance.
Kalamazoo Defender provides holistic public legal defense, which looks at the whole client and their unique situation. They recently hosted an expungement fair at Western Michigan University, which allowed people with eligible criminal convictions to meet with an attorney and begin the expungement process.
According to Melody Woods, expungement fairs are becoming more common. Twenty years ago, when she tried to get an expungement for two misdemeanors, there was no guarantee that it would be successful. Her life became dictated by her past experiences, giving her little hope for the future.
However, because Melody was later given a second chance, she now works with people at Kalamazoo Defender in similar situations. Her empathy helps her support and best serve her clients, restoring hope and lifting shame.
For more information on expungements, contact Kalamazoo Defender.
