TRLA’s Annual Criminal Records & Driver License Clinic in Partnership With the Social Justice Night Court in Laredo Returns

LAREDO, TEXAS – Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) has announced its annual Criminal Records and Sealing & Driver’s License Recovery Clinic, collaborating with the Social Justice Night Court (SJNC), from September 28th through October 16th.

The Social Justice Night Court (SJNC) is a joint project of the Webb County Board of Judges, Webb County District Attorney’s Office, and 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.

The clinic will inform local community members about the services available through TRLA’s re-entry project and education team, which can help them clear their arrest records, seal convictions through a court order, recover their suspended driver’s licenses for unpaid fines, assistance with school admissions and truancy cases.

“Our TRLA re-entry project helps people marginalized by criminal history obtain a court order to erase or seal their arrest records,” says Courtney Schusheim, TRLA Attorney leading the re-entry project in Webb County. “This year, we are also offering to provide parents and students with the tools they need to advocate for themselves in truancy proceedings or to navigate school admissions issues.”

On September 28th, the Clinic led its first outreach event, hosted by County Commissioner Ricardo Jaime of Pct.4 at the Marcos Aranda Community Center.

“The kickoff outreach event with Commissioner Jaime was extremely successful and fruitful for the residents of Webb County,” says Israel Reyna, TRLA Laredo office Branch Manager and Attorney. “Commissioner Jaime reinforced our services' impact and the doors of opportunity that can be reopened once people are granted relief.”

At the kickoff clinic event, TRLA exceeded expectations, connecting with over 60 Webb County residents needing re-entry services and are expected to enter the formal intake process with TRLA.

If you’re a Webb County resident and did not attend the initial clinic event on September 28th, we encourage you to contact our clinic hotline number (956)-489-5099 to apply for services or visit our local Laredo office at 1702 Convent Ave, Laredo, TX, 78040. Any interested people should contact us for an appointment immediately, as slots are limited. After October 16th, people will be placed on a waiting list.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Sam Rucobo, Public Relations Manager, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, 915-213-1532, srucobo@trla.org

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. TRLA also operates public defender programs that serve at least 10 Texas counties. Our hotline is open from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (CST) Monday - Friday: (956)-996-TRLA (8752) or toll-free at (833) 329-TRLA (8752).

Sam Rucobo