ST PAUL, Minn. — Minnesotans trying to turn their lives around following a criminal conviction often find their record can be an obstacle toward getting a job, renting an apartment or accessing higher education.
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office is trying to knock down some of those obstacles by launching the 2024 "Clean Slate" Expungement Tour, an effort to connect with those who are eligible to have their criminal records sealed. The tour will hold clinics in five locations across the state over the next few months, starting Saturday, March 23 in St. Paul.
Staff members from AG Keith Ellison's office and supporting partners will review the record of a person attending the clinic, determine whether the meet the legal criteria to have their criminal record sealed and, if so, work with that person to fill out the necessary paperwork to complete the expungement.
Among the offenses eligible to be sealed include fifth-degree drug possession or sale, theft, receiving stolen property, damage to property, forgery, issuing a bad check, financial card fraud and mail theft.
“Old, non-violent convictions should not stop folks who’ve turned over a new leaf from getting a good job, finding a place to live, and obtaining an education,” Attorney General Ellison said. “I share the people of Minnesota’s belief in redemption, and making sure people can contribute to their community is essential to that redemption. I look forward to the launch of our Clean Slate Tour, I’m grateful to everyone helping make this happen, and I encourage Minnesotans with old, non-violent records to stop by and see what we can do to help.”
The tour opens in St. Paul this Saturday, March 23, at Springboard for the Arts 262 University Ave from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi will have staff members working with the AG's office to assist visitors trying to turn their lives around.
“We have an obligation to help people who have paid their debt to society to remove the scarlet letter of a criminal conviction and the barriers it creates to accessing jobs, housing, education and other necessities in life,” Choi said in a statement. “We are proud to partner with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office in this work.”
Here is the schedule for the 2024 "Clean Slate" Expungement Tour.
- Stop 1: St. Paul
March 23, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Springboard for the Arts 262 University Ave W St. Paul, MN 55103 - Stop 2: White Earth Nation, Mahnomen County
May 8, 2024
Shooting Star Event Center, 777 SE Casino Rd, Mahnomen, MN 56557 - Stop 3: Bemidji
May 9, 2024
Northwest Indian Community Development Center, 1819 Bemidji Ave N Bemidji, MN 56601 - Stop 4: Rochester
July 2024
Location and exact date to be determined, check here for updates. - Stop 5: Duluth
Sept. 2024
Location and exact date to be determined, check here for updates.
Minnesotans seeking to seal their criminal records but can't make any of the scheduled clinics are encouraged to apply for expungement online at the Minnesota Attorney General's website.
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