The Johns Hopkins Office of Government, Community, and Economic Partnerships, in partnership with Maryland Legal Aid, hosted its fall Expungement Clinic Saturday, Oct. 26, on the East Baltimore campus, providing access to free legal services from volunteer attorneys.
Attendees were also able to receive COVID and flu vaccines alongside resources for health and wellness, veterans services, housing, and employment opportunities.
In total, 132 people attended the clinic—86 of those clients had cases that volunteer attorneys determined were potentially eligible for expungement, resulting in the preparation of 243 petitions. Since 2020, Johns Hopkins and its partners have hosted nine expungement clinics where 1,190 clients have had their cases expunged and 3,104 petitions have been filed, saving clients $46,750 in legal fees.
"Hosting expungement clinics and resource fairs is a key part of what we do at Johns Hopkins," said Lindsay Hebert, director of Community Affairs and Engagement. "We believe that helping our neighbors is important because when Baltimore thrives, Hopkins thrives, too. We understand that giving people a fresh start is essential to their health and well-being, as it empowers individuals to build better futures for themselves and their families."
