Laredo, TX. – Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA – Laredo Branch) will be holding a free virtual Expunction and Juvenile Record Sealing clinic for youth and adults with criminal and juvenile records. In this clinic, TRLA is highlighting the importance of juvenile record sealing, which is a critical but often overlooked step in protecting an adult record.

“Texas laws provide for court-ordered relief that opens doors to all kinds of opportunities to persons burdened by such records,” said Israel Reyna, TRLA attorney and head of the TRLA branch office. “Nobody should be walking around with the crutch of a criminal history record that a judge may order expunged (erased), non-disclosed, or sealed under Texas law,” said Mr. Reyna. “Take advantage of our free legal services to get rid of that crutch.” 

“Youth leaving the juvenile justice system are often under the impression that their record has or will be sealed immediately; however, automatic sealing is not happening efficiently in all counties and not all juvenile records are eligible for automatic sealing,” said Courtney Schusheim, TRLA’s Juvenile Justice Team Manager. “In some cases, our clients don’t even realize that they have juvenile records until the charges show up decades later on an adult record, often after an employer has changed its background-check service.” 

TRLA is also putting a spotlight on expunctions for Unlawful Carrying of Weapon, which is a new expunction category that entitles adults with Unlawful Carrying Weapon charges to an immediate expunction. The 87th Texas Legislature changed the language of the Penal Code to make Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon legal in most circumstances.

“Now people who were convicted of this offense are entitled to immediate expunction of their conviction, even if there were other charges relating to the same arrest. This will open an expunction pathway to many individuals in our community,” says Ms. Schusheim.

TRLA encourages any low-income person with an arrest record in Webb County and in need of expunction of criminal history records or sealing of juvenile records to please call (956) 489-5099 to schedule a clinic appointment. All cases are unique, individuals are encouraged to call and find out if they qualify for assistance. Applications and services are being provided virtually this year to keep people safe. Likewise, the Social Justice Night Court has been hearing cases virtually. TRLA will work with those who have limited or no access to technology to ensure they can participate. 

Clinic appointments will be scheduled from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 3, 4, and 5. All low-income individuals, including youth with juvenile records, are welcome to apply.

About Social Justice Night Court 

The Social Justice Night Court (SJNC) is a joint project of the Webb County’s Board of Judges, the local Bar Associations, and Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid (TRLA). The purpose of the Social Justice Night Court is to provide pro bono (free) representation for indigent persons residing in Webb County who need assistance with uncontested civil, legal matters. While TRLA takes a wide range of uncontested civil cases for placement in the SJNC, this clinic will take applications for the following cases ONLY: Expunctions of Criminal Arrest Records, Nondisclosures of Criminal History Records, including eligible misdemeanor and drug-court convictions, and Sealing of Juvenile Records.

About Texas RioGrande Legal Aid 

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid provides free legal services to people who cannot afford an attorney in 68 southwestern counties, including the entire Texas-Mexico border. TRLA attorneys specialize in more than 45 areas of law, including disaster assistance, family, employment, landlord-tenant, housing, education, immigration, farmworker, and civil rights. Our hotline is open from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (CST) Monday - Friday: 956-996-TRLA (8752).