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Our Mission

We will treat every client with DIGNITY, fight for JUSTICE and give them HOPE every day.
 

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

What's New

Latest News

February 10, 2021

OHIO’S NEW “STAND YOUR GROUND” LAW

Read More
View all news articles
 

Calendar of Events

Upcoming Events

03/03/2021
** Fresh Start CLOSED **
03/17/2021
** Fresh Start CLOSED **
View Full Calendar
 
 

Know Your Rights

 

DO NOT SPEAK TO THE POLICE OR DETECTIVE WITHOUT YOUR ATTORNEY BEING PRESENT WITH YOU!

How We Can Assist

Fresh Start Expungement Clinic

LAW OFFICE OF THE HAMILTON COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER

WE CAN HELP CLEAN UP YOUR CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE RECORDS AND GIVE YOU A FRESH START

 

Fresh Start Program Walk-in Clinic Location & Hours (no appointment necessary):

 

125 E. Court Street, Floor 9 Cincinnati, OH 45202

513-946-3700

Email: freshstart@cms.hamilton-co.org

 

HOURS: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month 1pm – 4pm

 

When you arrive at clinic:

STEP 1 – Meet with staff to determine if you financially qualify for public defender representation.  The income eligibility guidelines can be found at:

  • http://opd.ohio.gov/Reimbursement/rm_Guide.htm

 

STEP 2 – Meet with paralegal to review your criminal and/or juvenile records and establish eligibility for sealing your records.

  • If your convictions or adjudications only occurred in Hamilton County, we can bring up and review your record.  However, for more accurate results (especially if you have convictions from suburban Mayors’ Courts or suburban Municipal Courts), PLEASE BRING a copy of your adult criminal record. In Hamilton County, you can obtain a copy at Sheriff’s Office, located at the Hamilton County Justice Center, 1000 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
  • Please note we cannot expunge your out-of-county or out-of-state convictions, you must apply for expungement through that particular county or state

 

STEP 3 – Fill out an Expungement Application  and Affidavit of Indigency with our assistance.  The Affidavit of Indigency will allow the filing fee to be waived.

STEP 4 – We will file the Application. 

  • If the Application is for a misdemeanor conviction to be filed in Municipal Court, we will contact you immediately with your court date.
  • If the Application is for a felony conviction, the Clerk of Courts will contact with your  court date.

 

STEP 5 – You must attend the hearing or your Application will be denied. Arrive promptly and dress nicely.

  • If there are no objections and the court determines you are eligible, your Application should be granted.  Make sure you obtain a copy of the Entry Granting Expungement.
  • For a felony conviction, if the prosecutor intends to object to your Application, you will be notified before your hearing.  If this occurs, contact our office, and we will provide you with an attorney to represent you at the hearing.
  • For a misdemeanor conviction, you generally will not find out the prosecutor is   objecting to the Application until the day of your hearing.  If that occurs, respectfully request a continuance to obtain counsel; then contact our office, and we will provide you with an attorney to represent you at the  hearing.

 

Adult Services
Office Hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm
230 E. 9th Street, 2nd Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-946-3700
Fax: 513-946-3707
Juvenile Services
Office Hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm
125 E. Court Street, 9th Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-946-8282
Fax: 513-946-8242
Guardian ad litem
Office Hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm
125 E. Court Street, 8th Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-946-8292
Fax: 513-946-8272

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