ALSC Hosts Free Expungement Clinic to Help Residents Clear Criminal Records.

Nearly 600,000 people in Louisiana are estimated to be eligible for expungement of qualifying criminal records. Louisiana’s expungement laws remain among the most complex and restrictive in the country, creating significant barriers for those seeking a fresh start. Demand for expungement services in our rural communities continues to grow. These communities are seeking opportunities to attend specialized clinics that offer direct legal education and services on the expungement process. Individuals with expunged records are more likely to secure housing, pursue educational opportunities, and obtain employment, contributing to long-term economic mobility and community stability.

ALSC Workforce enhancement program

Our Workforce Enhancement Program directly supports employment by helping eligible low-income residents cover essential costs, such as background checks, court filing fees, and miscellaneous fees and expenses that are often unaffordable for our clients. We help eliminate financial obstacles for more residents, empowering them to pursue employment, secure stable housing, and reduce their risk of recidivism. In the past two years, we have served over 400 people by working closely with a network of pro bono attorneys and community partners like Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana, Inc, State of Louisiana Probation and Parole, and Louisiana Works in a clinic or resource fair setting to review eligible cases, offering clients the resources to navigate the expungement process on their own.

“Criminal records pose a significant barrier to many capable individuals getting a job and retaining that job,” says Chanara Pouncy, ALSC Senior Paralegal, and Gregory Hopkins, Pro Bono Managing Attorney. “We have helped remove those barriers through free expungement legal services for nearly 200 qualified applicants this year.”

We hosted a free expungement clinic in St. Landry Parish at the Yambilee building in Opelousas, LA, on December 9, 2025, meeting Kenneth Bob, who attended to move past a decade-old marijuana charge and seek employment. View Kenneth’s interview at KATC News Channel 3 in Lafayette, LA here.

ALSC 2026 Goal to Support Growth

Our goal at ALSC for the next year is to contribute to employment enhancement that supports business growth, improved productivity, and greater economic resilience in Louisiana. To meet the increasing demand for expungement services, we are partnering with the Lafayette Bar Association, the Lafayette City Court, and the Justice and Accountability Center to educate courts and local attorneys entering this area of public interest law by hosting a Lunch and Learn CLE on expungement legal services on February 26, 2026. By supporting expungement services, Louisiana parishes foster safer, more economically vibrant communities, reduce strain on social services, and promote an equitable and productive society.