Clean Slate: Community Expungement Days Actualizes Years-Long Vision, Worth the Wait.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – For several years, the initial idea behind an Annual Expungement Day sat waiting for a home. Organizers and Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judges Hon. Kimya Holmes, Hon. Juana Lombard, and Hon. Marcus DeLarge identified a pressing need in the community. People in the City of New Orleans who carry old criminal records experience barriers to employment, housing, and greater stability in life post-conviction–often for misdemeanors and non-violent crimes–with no easy way to clear their names. The concept for a Community Expungement Day came to fruition easily, with Judge1 DeLarge stating he “was all in” for this needed service that would provide many with a second chance. Unfortunately, efforts stalled repeatedly for practical reasons: lack of space and resources to host it.

This changed when organizers connected with Courtney Evans, the Executive Director of The First 72+ AND Norris Henderson, the Founder and Executive Director of VOTE. The First 72+ Partners with individuals recently released from incarceration to support them in their integration into public life through transitional housing and economic empowerment, and post-release support. VOTE began as a Civic Organization fighting for structural changes at Angola. It has become a recognized leader and catalyst in the fight for Criminal Justice Reform in the deep South. Beyond offering a physical space to host the event, The First 72+ and VOTE spared no effort in hospitality, keeping the volunteer crowd hydrated and tenting the outdoor area to protect the line from the elements. With a space finally secured, years of planning came together in a single well-organized day led by three of Orleans Parish’s Judicial Leaders.

Three judges, each elected in 2020, lent their time and expertise to the event in its strategic planning and execution. Each serving on specialty courts [Drug Court, Domestic Violence Court, Mental Health Court, Re-Entry Court] and boasting extensive experience on both the prosecuting and defensive sides of the law, Judge Kimya Holmes, Juana Lombard, and Judge Marcus DeLarge brought firsthand knowledge of how criminal records affect daily life post-release. With the primary goal of having individuals “Leave better than they came,” in the words of Judge Holmes, each made a personal investment in helping citizens move past their previous offenses and contribute to their returning to their communities as productive members of society.

Turnout underscored the depth of need within the community: although the event officially opened to the public at 10 a.m., people began lining up as early as 5 a.m. the morning before, with over 40 individuals arriving before 7 a.m. More than 15 attorneys from the public and private sectors additionally volunteered their time throughout the day to guide participants through the Expungement Process. Several local officials also made appearances in support, with state representatives and council members including Alonzo Knox, Candace Newell, and Freddie King III were all in attendance.

For many participants, the day meant far more than paperwork. With several of the primary barriers to filing for an Expungement being financial and informational, the walk-in and leave-out format allowed individuals to leave with restored confidence for their futures. Attendee Robin S. briefly reflected on what the opportunity meant for what is to come: “It was imperative that I attended this event to have my record expunged. This Expungement Opportunity will open doors for me that were once closed due to a criminal background.”

Participant Darrell F. echoed the same sentiment of relief and renewed possibility: “An Expungement will help me get better job opportunities, improve my financial abilities, and move forward with my life. It gives me a fair chance to build a better future.”

What began as a shared idea in search of a landing space is now a proof of concept: a reminder that with the right partners and collaboration, community needs can be met with community action. Over 100 Expungement Packets were processed. Organizers suggest the strong turnout and outpouring of volunteer and community support point to the promise of making Expungement Day an annual tradition within the City of New Orleans.