The John Marshall Law School Assists Veterans with Expungements of Criminal Records

Chicago, April 26, 2017 -- Nowadays, almost all employers require a criminal background check, and any arrest or conviction — even for a minor offense — can be a barrier to obtaining employment and housing. But Illinois enacted a new law this year that allows for the immediate expungement of criminal records if the charge was dismissed, the client was acquitted or the conviction vacated or reversed. Unlike the past rule, convictions on an adult’s record no longer bar expunging an eligible offense. 

“The reality is that many individuals have arrests or cases on their records that are now expungable that were previously not expungable,” said Kelly Burden Lindstrom, a staff attorney for John Marshall’s Pro Bono Program & Clinic.

Students, faculty and staff members from The John Marshall Law School’s Pro Bono Program & Clinic and Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic will join with Illinois Joining Forces to help expunge certain records for veterans at an expungement clinic on Wednesday, April 26 at 1:30 at Chase Tower, 10 South Dearborn St. in Chicago.

Illinois law also provides special provisions for expungement eligibility for veterans.  It is important that veterans are aware of these special exceptions that apply to them and take full advantage, said Brian Clauss, Director of John Marshall’s Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic. “Expunging criminal records are an important step in employability. We are always happy to help restore people to productive members of society.”

For more information about the event, see http://illinoisjoiningforces.org/event/criminal-record-expungement-clinic-for-veterans/

About John Marshall’s Pro Bono Program & Clinic 
The Pro Bono Program & Clinic is the largest of John Marshall’s nine Community Legal Clinics, offering law students the opportunity to develop real legal experience in a myriad of legal matters, while embracing the school’s mission of providing access to justice. John Marshall encourages its students to participate in pro bono work to foster commitment to community service, both during law school and after graduation. By cultivating a culture of service, John Marshall’s Pro Bono Program & Clinic not only provides a valuable resource for clients in need, it also prepares students for a life of purposeful citizenship.

About John Marshall’s Veterans Legal Support Clinic

Since 2006, the VLSC has been a national leader in serving deserving veterans denied benefits for service-connected injury or illness by the Veterans Benefits Administration. Law students working in the clinic gain real-world experience working with veterans while under the direct supervision of licensed clinical attorneys and professors.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e0b8568e-4fe5-467d-b8dc-3a780395d0a4

Jill Schachner Chanen
The John Marshall Law School 
312-427-2737
[email protected]