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:
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.
