Street Law Clinic

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UCSB Pre-Law Society and People's Justice Project launched its "Street Law Clinic" in the summer of 2022 in the heart of Isla Vista, California to provide Free Criminal Record Clearing and Infraction Defense to low-income community members.

In collaboration with California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc., we hosted our first information session on September 14, 2022 at the Isla Vista Community Center where we provided information about criminal record clearing to a dozen community members. We also conducted intakes to perform free record clearing services for about half of the individuals who attended the session. Following the information session, we have received additional interest in our services. This leads us to believe that the need for this service in the community is high. 

On October 5, 2022 at 6:00 p.m., the People's Justice Project and CRLA hosted its first Clean Slate Clinic at the Isla Vista Community Center, where we provided services to even more community members.

“The purpose of the Clean Slate Clinic is to help eliminate a barrier to employment and housing for individuals who have criminal records. A criminal record—no matter how old or how minor—can be an unjust barrier to reentry for people when most employers, property managers and universities use background checks to screen applicants,” said Joseph Doherty. 

Additionally, even a misdemeanor conviction or probation violation disqualifies a person from a wide-range of benefits and opportunities. Under federal law, any probation violation for any type of misdemeanor disqualifies an individual from welfare benefits, including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), food stamps, low-income housing, and Supplemental Security Income for the elderly and disabled. The consequences of a drug misdemeanor conviction are particularly harsh and can include the loss of health-care coverage, welfare, and student financial aid.

Record clearance is crucial to ensuring that the collateral consequences that stem from a criminal record are eliminated or significantly reduced for the millions of individuals trying to rebuild their lives toward a successful future. Criminal record expungement confers numerous benefits for individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors and felonies. When applying for a job, individuals who successfully expunge their criminal record can lawfully answer “No” if asked whether they have been convicted of a crime. Moreover, an employer is not permitted to consider an expunged conviction that is discovered through a background check in making a hiring decision. 

An expungement also benefits those seeking state professional licenses. To be sure, even after an expungement in many circumstances, an individual must disclose a conviction in response to a question posed in an application for a state license (e.g., a contractor license or real estate license) or in an application for public office. However, many licensing agencies are more likely to look favorably upon individuals who have successfully completed probation and whose convictions have been expunged. 

Further, under California law, “a person shall not be denied a license on the basis of any conviction, or on the basis of any acts underlying the conviction” if the conviction has been dismissed. 

“Another benefit of this work that we have seen is that our clients who get their expungement petitions granted are not returning to the criminal justice system,” said Renee Lizarraga. “The added stability that comes from obtaining employment and housing can go a long way to reducing rates of recidivism, as well as improving the quality of the client’s life overall.”

“A criminal record represents a substantial and enduring obstacle standing in the way of individuals who have served their time,” said Alyssa Rodriguez, Philanthropy Chair of the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Pre-Law Society. “By expunging criminal records, our Society helps our community members become full, productive members of society once again and move past their prior offenses,” she said. 

“Record Clearing services allow individuals to obtain equal access to legal representation and justice,” said Gabriella Sterritt. “Often our community members state they had lost hope in ever seeking expungement as they did not believe they were eligible, nor did they believe it was achievable,” she said. 

“Our community members feel heard and seen through the expungement process, a feeling that many had never felt before,” said Dan Chu. “An expungement grants our community members the ability to continue with their lives and positively contribute to our society,” he said. 

The California Policy Lab estimates nearly 1 in every 8 Californians with a criminal record is potentially eligible to obtain a full criminal record expungement; 81% of Californians with a criminal record are estimated to be eligible to have at least one prior arrest or conviction expunged. 

“By partnering with PJP, CRLA, and UCSBPLS to assist individuals eligible for criminal record expungement, IVCSD demonstrates its commitment to economic opportunity across Santa Barbara County’s diverse communities,” said Sydney Casler, Community Engagement Director at Isla Vista Community Services District. 

“The vital expungement services we provided at our October 5, 2022 Clean Slate Clinic not only facilitated reentry for individuals with a criminal arrest or conviction but also improved access to equal justice for all,” said Myah Mashhadialireza, Community Spaces Program Manager at Isla Vista Community Services District. “We value our partnership with PJP, CRLA and UCSBPLS, and are proud to participate in this important community initiative.”

If you are interested in clearing your criminal record, please contact PJP at (805) 242-6691, CRLA at (805) 902-CRLA or email reentry@crla.org. 

If you are interested in donating to the People’s Justice Project, you can donate through our GoFundMe Campaign at https://gofund.me/9b4b0804.