In Louisiana, a single mistake can make it hard for people to find jobs, housing, education, or financial security. Our expungement and workforce reentry programs help people overcome these challenges and open doors to new opportunities.

We worked with groups like Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana, Louisiana Works, State Probation and Parole, and volunteer attorneys to help more people get a fresh start. In rural areas, more and more people are asking for help with expungement so they can rebuild their lives and join the workforce.

This year, we started 755 expungement cases for people looking for jobs. We helped 262 individuals clear their criminal records, removing a major obstacle to finding work. We also held 13 outreach events, sharing information about expungement and reentry resources with 443 community members.

Expanding Access Through Partnerships

Nearly 600,000 people in Louisiana could qualify for expungement, but the state’s laws are some of the most complicated and strict in the country. This makes it especially hard for low-income residents. Expungement clinics and legal education events give people a chance to get reliable advice and legal help.

With Goodwill and other reentry groups, we held expungement clinics that helped over 150 people. Many also needed legal help with other issues like housing, family law, and custody.

Investing in Workforce Enhancement

As more people need these services, we found extra funding to cover costs like court fees, filing fees, background checks, and other charges that can stop low-income individuals from clearing their records. Our Workforce Enhancement Program helps pay these costs, making it easier for people to get jobs. Thanks to three grants from the Louisiana Bar Foundation’s Jock Scott Community Partnership Panels, we can help with expungement fees in over 20 rural parishes in North and Central Louisiana, as well as the Acadiana Community Partnership Panel. The Caddo Parish Commission grant serves Caddo Parish only. These funds do more than cover costs; they give people hope, new chances, and the opportunity to build better lives for themselves and their families.

Client Story: Nicole’s Second Chance

Nicole’s difficulties started when she unknowingly used a fake $20 bill to pay a utility bill. Even after finishing her sentence and qualifying for an automatic First Offender Pardon, a felony arrest stayed on her record for years because of a paperwork mistake.

Nicole volunteered at her local schools, but the unresolved felony record put her ability to help her community at risk and made it harder for her to find new opportunities to volunteer or seek employment. When Nicole asked our attorneys for help, they looked into her case and found the problem. An unpaid fee of only $14.20 had stopped her pardon from being processed.

We worked with several agencies to help Nicole fix the issue and finally get the pardon she deserved. The felony arrest was taken off her public record, so she could volunteer at local schools again and didn’t have to pay for a formal expungement. With our legal help, Nicole saved about $500 to $600 in court and legal fees.

Today, Nicole is still making a positive difference in her community. Her story shows how legal help can break down barriers, restore dignity, and help people get back opportunities they should have never lost.

Client name changed to protect privacy.

Looking Ahead

As more people need expungement services, we are committed to helping Louisiana’s workforce and economy grow. Next year, we’ll work with the Lafayette Bar Association, Lafayette City Court, and the Justice and Accountability Center to teach courts and lawyers about expungement law and reach more people in the community.

When someone clears their record, it helps more than just that person. Families become more stable, employers have a bigger pool of workers, and communities grow stronger and safer. Each expungement is more than a legal step; it’s a second chance and a path to a better future.