A free legal Clean Slate Clinic for county residents seeking criminal record expungement, felony reduction, and arrest record sealing will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29 at The Colleges of Law – Santa Barbara, 20 E. Victoria St., Santa Barbara.
The Clean Slate Clinic is designed to help eliminate barriers to employment and housing for individuals who have criminal records.
A criminal record — no matter how old or how minor — can be a significant barrier to reentry for people when most employers, property managers, and universities use background checks to screen applicants, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.
“Our office is committed to helping people lead productive and engaged lives while keeping public safety at the forefront,” said John T. Savrnoch, Santa Barbara County District Attorney. “Criminal records that are now qualified for legal expungement can prevent people from obtaining employment or housing.
“By partnering with local justice agencies to assist individuals who are legally eligible for criminal record expungement, we demonstrate our commitment to economic opportunity across Santa Barbara County’s diverse communities while protecting public safety,” he said.
The clinic will be hosted by the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, Santa Barbara County Probation Department, Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office, Santa Barbara Defenders, People’s Justice Project, CRLA, and The Colleges of Law – Santa Barbara.
“When someone has earned the chance for expungement under the law, it can open the door to stability and hope,” said Jennifer Karapetian, chief deputy district attorney. “The opportunity to secure steady work and housing not only supports the individual, but also strengthens our community as a whole. That stability reduces the likelihood of reoffending, while promoting public safety.”
Individuals interested in clearing their criminal record can make an appointment to receive services at the Santa Barbara Clean Slate Clinic by calling 805-902-CRLA, or email reentry@crla.org. Walk-ins are welcome.
“The expungement services provided at the Aug. 29 Clean Slate Clinic are critical to breaking down systemic barriers that keep too many people from pursuing higher education, meaningful employment, and stable housing,” said Tracy Macuga, Santa Barbara County Public Defender.
“Expungement is not just about clearing a record, it is about opening doors, restoring dignity, and giving people a real chance to build stability for themselves and their families,” Macuga said. “When someone can move beyond a past mistake, they can save for a child’s education, obtain health insurance, and plan for retirement.
“By providing this opportunity, we are not only changing individual lives—we are strengthening the future of our entire community.”
“A criminal record represents a substantial and enduring obstacle standing in the way of individuals who have served their time,” said Holly Benton, Santa Barbara County Chief Probation Officer. “By expunging criminal records, we are helping our community members become full, productive members of society once again and move past their prior offenses.”
“Record clearance is crucial to ensuring the collateral consequences that stem from a criminal record are eliminated or significantly reduced for the millions of individuals trying to rebuild their lives toward a successful future,” said William C. Makler, attorney and president of the Santa Barbara Defenders.
Under federal law, any probation violation for any type of misdemeanor disqualifies an individual from welfare benefits, including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), food stamps, low-income housing, and Supplemental Security Income for the elderly and disabled.
The consequences of a drug misdemeanor conviction are particularly harsh, and can include the loss of healthcare coverage, welfare, and student financial aid.
Another benefit of this work that we have seen is that community members who get their expungement petitions granted are not returning to the criminal justice system, the District Attorney’s Office reports
Criminal record expungement confers numerous benefits for individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors and felonies, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
For example, when applying for most jobs, individuals who successfully expunge their criminal record can lawfully answer “No” if asked whether they have been convicted of a crime. Moreover, an employer is not permitted to consider an expunged conviction that is discovered through a background check in making a hiring decision.
An expungement also benefits those seeking state professional licenses. Even after an expungement in many circumstances, an individual must disclose a conviction in response to a question posed in an application for a state license (e.g., a contractor, or real estate agent, or massage therapist), or in an application for public office.
However, many licensing agencies are more likely to look favorably upon individuals who have successfully completed probation and whose convictions have been expunged.
Further, under California law, “a person shall not be denied a license on the basis of any conviction, or on the basis of any acts underlying the conviction” if the conviction has been dismissed.
“Record clearing services allow individuals to obtain equal access to legal representation and justice, and our law students are an essential part of that access,” said Brandy Price, dean of the Colleges of Law-Santa Barbara. “Through our law school’s Clean Slate Clinics, community members feel heard and seen through the expungement process, a feeling that many have never felt before.”
The California Policy Lab estimates nearly one in every eight Californians with a criminal record is potentially eligible to obtain a full criminal record expungement; 81% of Californians with a criminal record are estimated to be eligible to have at least one prior arrest or conviction expunged.