RI Attorney General announces return of Expungement Clinics – next, this week

AG invites public to Cranston office on February 29, to take first step in criminal expungement process

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today announced the return of the Office’s expungement clinics on February 29, 2024. The Office of the Attorney General welcomes the public to its Cranston office, located at 4 Howard Avenue, where attendees can take the first step in the expungement process and learn if they are eligible for expungement of non-violent criminal offenses from their record, as provided for under state law.

At the clinic, scheduled to run from 5-8 p.m., attorneys and staff members from the Office of the Attorney General will assist the public in evaluating their eligibility for expungement of criminal records, help complete and notarize expungement forms, and help answer questions concerning the process.

Space is limited, and those interested should sign up in advance here.

“Expungement can be a confusing and cumbersome legal path to navigate, and we know there are people in Rhode Island who have not taken advantage of the expungement process, perhaps because they are unaware of their eligibility, or maybe they aren’t sure of how the process works,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “Rhode Islanders are entitled under state law to have certain, non-violent offenses expunged from their record, and they deserve to have the process be as seamless and easily accessible as possible. We held the first of these clinics in 2020 and have helped hundreds of Rhode Islanders navigate this process, so I am very pleased to see them return.”

When: February 29, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: RIAG Customer Service Center, 4 Howard Ave. Cranston.

Sign up: http://tinyurl.com/riexpungement

The clinic marks the latest iteration in Attorney General Neronha’s efforts to make the Office more accessible to the people of Rhode Island and expand access to the state’s expungement process. Previous expungement clinics have been held in Providence and Newport.

Expungement is the process by which a record of criminal conviction is removed from a person’s criminal history. Only certain criminal arrests or convictions, including some misdemeanor crimes and certain non-violent felonies, may be eligible for expungement. Eligibility is dependent on a variety of factors.