AG’s office to hold legal clinic on expunging criminal records

The Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General will host a clinic next week to help people who have interacted with the justice system determine if they are eligible to have their criminal records wiped clean.

Only certain types of criminal arrests or convictions, including some misdemeanor crimes and certain non-violent felonies are eligible for expungement under state law.

The clinic will run from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 29, at the AG’s Cranston office, located at 4 Howard Ave. Attorneys and staff from the AG’s office will be available to help with the completion and notarization of expungement forms and answer questions about the process.

The expungement process can be confusing and difficult to navigate for many, Attorney General Peter Neronha said.

“And we know there are people in Rhode Island who have not taken advantage of the expungement process,” Neronha said in a statement. 

The clinic will be the first one in four years.

“Last one we had in person was quite a thing!” Neronha posted on X Friday afternoon. “People who are by right entitled to clearing their record often don’t know how to do so or have the funds to hire a lawyer to get it done.”

Those interested in attending the free clinic can apply online. The form notes that the AG’s office will search for a criminal history which may uncover any outstanding fines and warrants.