Pima County is offering legal clinics this month for people hoping to get their criminal records sealed.
A new law that went into effect in Arizona in January allows people arrested and convicted of some, non-violent criminal offenses to ask the court to seal their records. If the court obliges, the details of someone's case can be obscured from public view, which attorneys and rights advocates say could help formerly-incarcerated people or people with previous arrest looking for employment and public housing assistance.
Under this program, run by the Public Defense Services office in Pima County, people can meet with an attorney to see if their cases are eligible. Attorneys can also help petition the court and advise clients on how sealing could affect their cases.
The office is opening up two clinics to the public. The first is on June 20 and the other is in August. Both are free and accept walk-ins.
