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City officials ran an exposition event that empowered eligible residents to have various types of criminal records expunged.

About The Event

On October 21, 2023, Tucson Arizona held a Fresh Start Exposition at which people who have certain types of criminal records were taught how to get them expunged. This was done as part of an ever-growing, nationwide Second Chance Movement. Individuals who have any type of conviction often find it difficult to obtain employment, housing and other necessities. The Second Chance Movement was established to help them rejoin society.

Officials expected more than 2,000 people to be there, thus doubling the size of a similar event held last year. Several judges and legal counsel representatives were on hand to offer free legal services and help participants understand how they can resolve warrants, expunge misdemeanors and seal felonies. Many of them are also working to help former convicts re-obtain the right to vote, which is something people are currently prohibited from doing after spending time in prison.

Help With Expenses

Court fees, fines and other expenses can add up quickly. The legal minds who participated in the Exposition also showed attendees how they could reduce those costs. One common option is volunteering for community service. This can be a lifeline to individuals who want to clear their records but cannot afford to do so.

No Arrests

To help reassure people that it was safe to attend the event, organizers emphasized that there would be a No Arrest policy. Therefore, those who might have warrants could show up without fear of being arrested on the spot.

Potential attendees were also informed that some cases might be resolved the same day, but others could take a while. Dealing with legal issues can be complex and time-consuming, so organizers were eager to set expectations in advance.

What Employers Should Know

Employers in the Tucson area should be aware of the Fresh Start Expo and know that it will likely result in hundreds of residents having various criminal records expunged. When that happens, those records can no longer be used to make employment or other decisions about consumers. Once a record is expunged, the person who had it may act as if the offense never occurred.

It is essential for employers to only rely on current, accurate information when hiring, promoting or otherwise making employment related decisions. To help comply with this, organizations may wish to work with a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) that is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA). These CRAs have demonstrated that they take reasonable steps to only provide reportable, up-to-date information.

Running Background Checks

At Backgrounds Online, we think of background checks as small insurance policies that help protect your business. Running them helps hiring managers make informed decisions, maintain safe workplaces, avoid negligent hiring claims and demonstrate due diligence.

If your organization is bringing on employees, applicants or volunteers, please contact us. Our experienced team can help you customize screening packages based on your specific needs, applicable laws and industry best practices. We are based in California and available to assist you Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm PT.