WS Chronicle

Spring cleaning often brings to mind brooms and mops, but the Honorable Susan Frye, Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court is spearheading an effort with Councilman James Taylor and other local officials to help citizens of Forsyth County clean up their criminal records. More specifically, citizens who want to erase dismissals of various kinds from their record will be able to do so on the spot on Wednesday April 17 at the Forsyth County Hall of Justice.

This spring cleaning project is the idea of the Forsyth County Clerk’s office, Wake Law pro bono Expungement Clinic led by law students John Ryan and Shelby Hansen, Council member James Taylor, and local attorneys, together with the Ministers’ Conference. Together they will work to prepare and process on-the-spot paperwork for dismissals to be removed from criminal records in Forsyth County.

The project was conceived after a recent change in the North Carolina expungement statutes.

Most people do not understand how a dismissal or deferral could be a bad thing. After all, they have been dismissed. But employers often consider these dismissals as a reason not to hire. Potential employees are often turned away because of things on a person’s criminal record.

The clinic will be held from 4-7 p.m. Participants will be directed to have their records pulled and then proceed to a law student to complete and notarize the documents. A judge will then sign the paperwork, and deposit it with the clerk, who will complete the process. If participants qualify for indigent waivers, they will have to provide certain documents to complete the process. (See a list of needed documents in sidebar.)   In addition, the Ministers’ Conference will circulate information.  Mark your calendars and be on the look-out for more information to clean up!