Free expungement clinic coming to Jackson April 25

WTLS to Host Expungement Clinic in Madison County

West Tennessee Legal Services is partnering with the Tennessee Governor’s Faith Based and Community Initiative, and the TN Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission, to host a free expungement clinic on April 25, 2025, in Jackson to celebrate Second Chance Month and Help4TNMonth. 

This clinic will allow qualifying individuals to have their criminal record erased. An expungement is an erasing or removing of charges and convictions from your criminal record. People may be eligible for expungement in Tennessee if they had charges against them dismissed, a “no true bill” was returned by a grand jury, they were arrested and released without being charged, they went to trial, which resulted in a not guilty verdict, or the case resulted in a nolle prosequi (prosecution will not be pursued). Additionally, some misdemeanor and felony convictions may be eligible for an expungement.  

“Many times, people make mistakes in their lives that stay on their record forever, we want to help people who are eligible for an expungement get these charges erased from their record,” said Andy Cole, Pro Bono Manager at WTLS. “This is a great opportunity for people to be able to move on from their past.” 

Tennessee has recently made updates to its expungement laws, so many people who have not been eligible in the past might now be eligible for expungements. If people do not qualify for an expungement, WTLS will walk through other options the client may have to restore their rights. 

This clinic is only for people who have charges in Madison County General Sessions or Circuit Courts. Pre-registration is required. Registration is open and ends April 14, 2025. The WTLS Justice Bus will on-site to support this event. Anyone interested in registering for the clinic can call WTLS at 731-423-0616 or visit wtls.org to complete an online application. 

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