Criminal Record Expungement Clinic April 16 In Long Branch

LONG BRANCH, NJ — Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago will host the county's second-ever free expungement clinic in Long Branch next week.

The goal of this clinic is to offer free legal advice for those who may be eligible to have their criminal records expunged.

The clinic is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 16 at Second Baptist Church, located at 93 Liberty Street in Long Branch, under the leadership of Pastor Terence Dunlap, Sr.

Anyone looking for an expungement of their criminal records is encouraged to attend and bring a valid photo ID, with attorneys being made available at no cost. Expungement petitions will be filed that same day.

"The most important thing I’d like the public to know about this event is that it is completely free, with no strings attached," said county prosecutor Santiago. "We welcomed over 300 people to our inaugural event in Asbury Park, with approximately 100 of them having their records expunged on site, and now we’re bringing the expungement clinic to Long Branch, with a goal to help even more."

"Too often, people are expected to rebuild their lives while still carrying the weight of records that no longer reflect who they are," said New Jersey Public Defender Jennifer Sellitti. "Expungement is one of the clearest ways the legal system can restore opportunity."

An expungement is the removal, sealing, impounding and/or isolation of all criminal records. A court-ordered expungement can remove information about someone's arrest, all court proceedings related to their case, a criminal or juvenile conviction (or convictions), and the outcome of their case, including if someone had to serve prison time.

This clinic is offered by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, Community Affairs & Resource Center (CARC), Monmouth County Bar Association, Legal Aid Society of Monmouth County, New Jersey Reentry Corporation, Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County, Monmouth County One-Stop Career Center, Long Branch Police Department (and the city of Long Branch) and the Greater Asbury Park Community Development Initiative (CDI).