It’s about ensuring second chances, taking a different path and being hopeful.
For juvenile offenders who have completed the diversion program of the State Attorney’s Office, that’s what the Seal/Expunge Project for Young Offenders is all about.
On Dec. 7, a new collaboration was launched between the city, the State Attorney’s Office, Florida Coastal School of Law, Duval County Clerk of Courts, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.
These organizations are providing a service that offers the grand finale for young people who have completed their diversion program requirements and are pursuing their goals for education and employment.
Participants and their parents attend the final session of the diversion program. Cake, punch and snacks are served to help congratulate the families on their completion of the program.
The words on the cake say it well: “The Future is Yours.”
The last session is a celebration, but during the meeting important work is done. Professor Michelle Hawthorne and her law students from the Florida Coastal Seal/Expunge Clinic provide information about the requirements, benefits and limitations of both expunging and sealing a criminal arrest record.
Families complete the Florida Department of Law Enforcement application and a representative from the sheriff’s office is there to complete the fingerprint card.
Alan Louder, director of juvenile diversion for the State Attorney’s Office, gathers the applications and fingerprint cards and mails them to FDLE.
Attorneys, led by David Barksdale of the Bedell firm, volunteer to provide guidance and answer attendees’ questions.
For youth who are eligible to seal, but not expunge, the city maintains a small scholarship fund to cover filing fees.
The goal of the project is to help eliminate the barrier caused by a criminal record and to encourage these young people to continue on a path to a productive and rewarding future.
The atmosphere at the grand finale session is festive and even lighthearted, but the goal is critical and life changing.
The personal goals of the young people are affirmed and they leave with one less hurdle to overcome.
At the session, parents and their children expressed deep gratitude for the program.
The encouragement and support they experience during the process is real and upon completion they have reason to be hopeful and optimistic about what the future holds.
Attorneys interested in volunteering for the Seal/Expunge Project for Young Offenders or other pro bono opportunities in the 4th Judicial Circuit should contact [email protected].