BRIAN:..LONG LINES IN
KALAMAZOO TODAY AS PEOPLE
GATHERED TO GET HELP EXPUNGING
CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS.
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NEWS 8'S KYLE MITCHELL IS LIVE
WITH MORE ON THE PROGRAM.
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KYLE:..PEOPLE WITH MORE THAN
ONE FELONY AND CERTAIN TYPES
OF CONVICTIONS ARE NOT ABLE TO
APPLY.
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CROWDS PACKED THE PARKING LOT
AT THE NORTHSIDE ASSOCIATION
FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
WAITING TO GET INSIDE.THE
CLINIC IS A PARTNERSHIP
BETWEEN THE CITY ATTORNEY'S
OFFICE, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S
OFFICE, THE KALAMAZOO COUNTY
BAR ASSOCIATION, KDPS, AND THE
COUNTY COURTS.THE FOUNDATION
FOR EXCELLENCE COVERED THE 50
DOLLAR FEE FOR CITY RESIDENTS
AND THE COURTS PROVIDED FREE
RECORDS CHECKS.THE CHIEF
DEFENDER SAYS MICHIGAN HAS
STRICT LAWS ON EXPUNGING
CONVICTIONS.
3
DONNA INNES / CHIEF DEFENDER,
KALAMAZOO DEFENDER49:24 "IT
WAS FAIRLY RECENTLY UPGRADED
SO THAT IT'S A LITTLE EASIER
BUT IT'S STILL QUITE STRICT
AND CERTAINLY PEOPLE NEED THAT
OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE CRIMINAL
RECORDS THAT ARE OLD TAKEN OFF
THEIR RECORDS SO THAT THEY'RE
ELIGIBLE FOR JOBS HOUSING.
LOTS OF DIFFERENT BENEFITS."
3
KYLE:..ORGANIZERS PLAN TO HOLD
THESE CLINICS EVERY THREE
MONTHS. THEY WILL ALSO SOON
HAVE WALK IN CLINICS AT THE
PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.LIVE
IN KALAMAZOO, KYLE MITCHELL,
NEWS 8.
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