“Clean Slate Lexington” is a first and organizers say it couldn’t come at a better time.
While similar events have been held, this city-sponsored expungement and job fair is being coordinated by Lexington’s equity and implementation officer, Tiffany Brown. She says the fair is aimed at giving those who have been marginalized due to past criminal convictions a second shot. Brown says even old traffic violations can limit future prospects in major ways.
"We can talk about workforce and adding jobs to our region, affordable housing, and having these great opportunities in our city, but if people can't access it, it doesn't really matter, does it? It's just another opportunity and people still have those barriers to dismantle or climb over."Lexington Equity and Implementation Officer Tiffany Brown
Changes in state expungement law in 2016 and 2019 expanded the list of eligible convictions to include hundreds of Class D felonies. The length of the expungement process depends on the conviction, but it’s typically no longer than six months.
The Clean Slate Lexington event will bring together experts who can tell visitors whether they’re eligible, walk them through the process, and introduce them to employment and housing opportunities. It’s scheduled for Friday, April 29, at Central Bank Center.
