Community engagement unit launched in Sept. 2019
Addresses collateral consequences of contact with the criminal justice system
LASP’s Community Engagement Unit, new in September 2019, brings legal education and legal services directly to low-income communities at clinics coordinated with local partners and legislative offices. The unit also trains the staff of local organizations about recent updates to the law and how LASP can help.
The unit’s initial focus was on the collateral consequences of involvement with the criminal justice system.
Headed by Supervising Attorney Erica Briant, the Community Engagement Unit (CEU) helps residents of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties clear old criminal records. Pennsylvania’s record-clearing laws have changed significantly in recent years. One of the unit’s first efforts was reaching out to people LASP had previously been unable to help and informing them of new opportunities to clear their records.
Previous charges and convictions often keep people in poverty, and people with records are at a greater disadvantage as they face the economic and housing insecurity exacerbated by COVID-19.
“Studies show that people with years-old convictions are unlikely to be arrested again, but their previous convictions can make it much more challenging to get a job and find stable housing for their families,” Briant said. “In fact, I’ve had clients who had trouble getting into senior housing because of decades-old convictions for non-violent offenses, and recently I helped someone get a 1965 conviction expunged.” The Philadelphia Foundation, through the William J. McCahan 3rd Fund in memory of Thomas C. McCahan and Florence M. McCahan, was an early funder of the Community Engagement Unit. “We very much appreciate The Philadelphia Foundation’s support,” Executive Director Shawn Boehringer said. “The new unit will give hundreds of low-income suburban residents a second chance by helping them exercise their right to expunge or seal certain criminal records. Without this stigma, they will have much improved access to employment, job training and housing.”
The CEU partners with trusted community organizations and leaders to host record-clearing clinics. During the pandemic, clinics went virtual with great success, using Zoom breakout rooms for individual meetings with attorneys. Virtual clinics reached clients who could not attend an in-person clinic due to work or child care obligations or other barriers. Those eligible for LASP services can get help with the entire record-clearing process, including completing and filing paperwork and representation if a hearing is required.
Law student and paralegal interns play a key role in the unit’s ability to handle more cases. The CEU offers internships during spring and fall semesters, summer, and spring break. In early March 2020, law students from the University of Pennsylvania met in-person for spring break in Norristown. Just a week later, under new COVID-19 restrictions, Drexel University law students served as pioneers when their spring break efforts shifted from on-site to virtual. Briant and LASP intern Sarah Fishel trained students via Zoom.
CEU attorneys participated in 93 different events from September 2019 through June 2020 and worked with 15 state legislators to bring information and services to their constituents. In 2020-21, the unit has expanded its focus to serve other vulnerable populations. It now includes two expert attorneys who assist veterans and an attorney with significant experience in disability appeals.
Notes
Because of the complexity of the laws on record sealing, expungements, and pardons, individuals are encouraged to seek help to determine “next steps” for clearing a record.
The work of the Community Engagement Unit is in addition to many LASP attorneys’ outreach efforts and is part of an ongoing effort to build strong community partnerships in all four counties.
A version of this article originally appeared in LASP’s 2019-20 Annual Report (please see pages 6-7).
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA launched the Community Engagement Unit in September 2019 to expand LASP’s efforts to bring legal education and legal service to low-income communities in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. The unit helps people with record-clearing: expungements, Clean Slate (limited access) and pardons.
This is in addition to LASP advocates’ other work in local communities. Since 2019, the Community Engagement Unit has expanded to include the Veterans Advocacy Project and work in Social Security (SSI and SSDI).