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Pardon/Expungement Assistance

CLICK HERE to view the Fall 2023 Mobile Legal Clinic calendar

CLICK HERE to view the Fall 2023 clinics/hours flyer

Questions on Eligibility and General Information:  

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If you want to work with our volunteers to determine whether you are eligible to ask for a pardon or expungement of your criminal record (and if you are, what steps are involved), you can attend our virtual Expungement/Pardon "Part A" clinics.  

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  • This virtual "Part A" Zoom clinic is held each Monday from 1:00-3:00pm (Central Time) and is first-come, first-served (no appointment required).

  • The registration window for this clinic is ONLY open on Mondays from 12:45-2:00pm (Central Time).  To join the clinic, you need to register during that time at the following link: https://form.jotform.com/221314734945153. You will be added to the list in the order you register.  NOTE: If you try to register outside of the active registration window, the link will display a "Disabled"/"Form not found" message. 

  • After you register, you will receive a confirmation text at the number you listed on the registration form.  When your volunteers are ready to meet with you, you will receive another text with the Zoom link you need to click on to join the meeting. 

  • Depending on the number of people who register and the number of volunteers available, it's possible we won't have time to get to everyone. In the unlikely event that happens, you're welcome to join the next clinic.  

  • If your schedule doesn't allow you to attend our Part A clinics, or if you'd rather get eligibility assistance over email, you can email expungeMKE@gmail.com with your full name, date of birth, case number(s)/county, and any other relevant details, and we can get back to you with our initial assessment of eligibility. 

Quick Information on Expungement and Pardons

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EXPUNGEMENT: Wisconsin’s expungement statute is extremely strict, which means unfortunately, most people who visit our clinics are not eligible for expungement (or, if they were eligible, they didn’t successfully complete all aspects of their sentence before it ended).  Here are the biggest things to know about being eligible for expungement under the current law: 

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  • You need to have been under age 25 (24 years or younger) at the time of the offense,

  • The conviction needs to have been for a misdemeanor OR a nonviolent Class H or I felony,

  • Your sentencing judge needed to have found you eligible for expungement at the sentencing hearing (can’t ask for it after), AND

  • You must have successfully completed all aspects of your sentence (all conditions of the sentencing court and the DOC/probation agency), all before the sentence was over.

PARDON: To be eligible to ask the Governor for a pardon on one or more cases, you need to meet all of the following requirements: 

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  • You need to have a Wisconsin felony conviction,

  • It needs to have been at least 5 years since you completed ANY criminal sentence (even misdemeanor convictions that happened after the felony),

  • You can’t have any pending cases in this or any other jurisdiction, AND

  • You can’t currently be required to register as a sex offender.

Exp-Pardon Venn Diagram_edited.jpg

Helpful Pardon Resources:

Pardon Application Assistance​

If you already know you are eligible for a pardon and want our help with the pardon application questions/process, you can attend our Pardon Application "Part B" clinics.  

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  • This virtual "Part B" Zoom clinic is by appointment only.  Appointments are typically held on Wednesdays from 1:00-3:00pm (Central Time). 

  • You must have worked with us in Part A or established eligibility with us by email or phone.

  • You must also get certified copies of (1) the Criminal Complaint, (2) the Felony Information, and (3) the Judgment of Conviction for each case you are requesting a pardon on.  You can request certified copies from the Clerk of Court in the county where you were convicted.  For more information on getting certified copies, review our Certified Copies Flyer. 

  • To request a Part B pardon application appointment, email expungeMKE@gmail.com with your full name, date of birth, case number/county, and copies of your certified case documents and we will contact you to get you on the schedule.

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